cleistocarpous

or clis·to·car·pous

[ klahy-stuh-kahr-puhs ]

adjective

1. Mycology. having cleistothecia.
2. Botany. having a closed capsule, as certain mosses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleistocarpous¹

First recorded in 1885–90; cleisto- + -carpous

Example Sentences

Such facts as these suggest that in many cases the cleistocarpous condition is the result of reduction rather than primitive, and that possibly the same holds for Archidium.

From Project Gutenberg

These cleistocarpous forms are now recognized as related to various natural groups, in which the majority of the species possess an operculum.

From Project Gutenberg