cleistogamous

[ klahy-stog-uh-muhs ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. pertaining to or having pollination occurring in unopened flowers.

cleistogamous

/ klī-stŏg′ə-məs /

1. Of or relating to a flower that does not open and is self-pollinated in the bud. The fertile flowers of the violet are inconspicuous and cleistogamous, while the plant's more familiar showy flowers are usually infertile.

Other Words From

• cleis·toga·mous·ly cleisto·gami·cal·ly adverb
• cleis·toga·my noun
• noncleis·to·gamic adjective
• noncleis·toga·mous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleistogamous¹

First recorded in 1880–85; cleisto- + -gamous

Example Sentences

Pedicels short and bracts small; corolla pale yellow, 4´´ long, with short spur and entire crest, or flowers often cleistogamous and much smaller, without spur or crest; pods ascending, torulose; seeds obtuse-margined, smooth and shining.—N.

From Project Gutenberg

Amphicarpum, native in the south-eastern United States, has fertile cleistogamous spikelets on filiform runners at the base of the culm, those on the terminal panicle are sterile.

From Project Gutenberg

Every plant which produces these cleistogamous or bud-fertilized flowers bears also more conspicuous and open flowers, usually of bright colors.

From Project Gutenberg

In other cases precautions are taken to prevent cross-fertilisation, as in the numerous cleistogamous or closed flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

The beech-drop bears cleistogamous or blind flowers in addition to the few showy ones needed to attract insects.

From Project Gutenberg