ITP Logo

APPW key feature pages

Perianth constitution (presence of calyx, corolla, tepals, or perianth segments)

" Perianthperianth:
(n) collective term for the calyx and corolla of a flower; also used for floral whorl(s) in which the calyx and corolla cannot be resolved; any of the leaves or bracts surrounding the sex organs of bryophytes
" is a collective term for the calyxcalyx:
(n) the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower
and corollacorolla:
(n) the inner whorl(s) of the perianth; all the petals of a flower
of a flower. It is also used as a collective term for floral whorl(s) in which the individual segments are similar, and cannot be distinguished as calyxcalyx:
(n) the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower
and corollacorolla:
(n) the inner whorl(s) of the perianth; all the petals of a flower
. In this case the general term "perianth segments" can be used to describe the individual segments, or, the term "tepals" is sometimes used, particularly for monocots.

This feature asks you to determine whether in fact calyxcalyx:
(n) the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower
and corollacorolla:
(n) the inner whorl(s) of the perianth; all the petals of a flower
whorls can be recognized, and if not, whether the perianthperianth:
(n) collective term for the calyx and corolla of a flower; also used for floral whorl(s) in which the calyx and corolla cannot be resolved; any of the leaves or bracts surrounding the sex organs of bryophytes
segments are in a single whorlwhorl:
(n) three or more similar organs arranged in a circle at the same point around an axis
, or in two or more whorls, of similar looking perianthperianth:
(n) collective term for the calyx and corolla of a flower; also used for floral whorl(s) in which the calyx and corolla cannot be resolved; any of the leaves or bracts surrounding the sex organs of bryophytes
segments. Choose the last state if the entireentire:
(adj) having a continuous margin that is not toothed or lobed
perianthperianth:
(n) collective term for the calyx and corolla of a flower; also used for floral whorl(s) in which the calyx and corolla cannot be resolved; any of the leaves or bracts surrounding the sex organs of bryophytes
is lacking or very reduced.

In examining flowers, sometimes it is easy to discern calyxcalyx:
(n) the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower
and corollacorolla:
(n) the inner whorl(s) of the perianth; all the petals of a flower
whorls. Sometimes, however, two whorls are actually calyxcalyx:
(n) the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower
and corollacorolla:
(n) the inner whorl(s) of the perianth; all the petals of a flower
but aren't obviously so. Likewise, two whorls may look like calyxcalyx:
(n) the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower
and corollacorolla:
(n) the inner whorl(s) of the perianth; all the petals of a flower
but are not. If you are not sure which state to choose, ignore this character or use it, keeping in mind that you guessed, and change your state choice if necessary.

with a distinct calyx and corolla (corolla may be one or more whorls)  
with a distinct calyx and corolla (corolla may be one or more whorls)
not resolvable into calyx and corolla; one whorl only  
not resolvable into calyx and corolla; one whorl only
not resolvable into calyx and corolla; two or more whorls of +/- similar showy segments  
not resolvable into calyx and corolla; two or more whorls of +/- similar showy segments
perianth very reduced or absent  
perianth very reduced or absent
APPW key feature pages