papilionaceous

[ puh-pil-ee-uh-ney-shuhs ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. having an irregular corolla shaped somewhat like a butterfly, as the pea and other leguminous plants.
2. belonging to the family Papilionaceae (Fabaceae), that is often included as part of the Leguminosae.

Word History and Origins

Origin of papilionaceous¹

1660–70; < Latin pāpiliōn- (stem of pāpiliō ) butterfly + -aceous

Example Sentences

Corolla perfectly or not at all papilionaceous, sometimes nearly regular, imbricated in the bud, the upper or odd petal inside and enclosed by the others, Stamens 10 or fewer, commonly distinct, inserted on the calyx.

From Project Gutenberg

Corolla imperfectly papilionaceous; standard smaller than the wings, and enclosed by them in the bud; the keel-petals larger and not united.

From Project Gutenberg

Corolla scarcely at all papilionaceous.

From Project Gutenberg

Corolla imperfectly papilionaceous; petals all on claws; the standard heart-shaped, inserted in the bottom of the calyx; the keel and wings borne on the middle of the monadelphous sheath of filaments, which is cleft down one side.

From Project Gutenberg

A papilionaceous plant, the Ornithopus, having a curved, cylindrical pod tipped with a short, clawlike point.

From Project Gutenberg