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Helmet-shaped; -- applied to a corolla having a broad, helmet- shaped upper petal, as in aconite.

A variety of the mineral called petalite, from Elba.

An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. -- so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.

A general name for coloring matter of plants other than chlorophyll, especially that of petals.

A slender appendage or process, formed like a claw, as the base of petals of the pink. Gray. Claw hammer, a hammer with one end of the metallic head cleft for use in extracting nails, etc. -- Claw hammer coat, a dress coat of the swallowtail pattern. [Slang] -- Claw sickness, foot rot, a disease affecting sheep.…

Having, beside the usual flowers, other minute, closed flowers, without petals or with minute petals; -- said of certain species of plants which possess flowers of two or more kinds, the closed ones being so constituted as to insure self-fertilization. Darwin.

Folded lengthwise along the midrib, the upper face being within; -- said of leaves or petals in vernation or æstivation.

r; arched inward so that the points meet; converging; in close contact; as, the connivent petals of a flower, wings of an insect, or folds of membrane in the human system, etc.

Arranged so as to overlap each other; as, petals in contorted or convolute æstivation.

A large genus of plants having monopetalous flowers, including the common bindweed (C. arwensis), and formerly the morning-glory, but this is now transferred to the genus Ipomæa. The luster of the long convolvuluses That coiled around the stately stems. Tennyson.

rt which surrounds the organs of fructification, consisting of one or more leaves, called petals. It is usually distinguished from the calyx by the fineness of its texture and the gayness of its colors. See the Note under Blossom.

Having the stamens borne on the petals, and the latter free from the calyx. Compare Calycifloral and Thalamifloral.

An inner appendage to a petal or a corolla, often forming a special cup, as in the daffodil and jonquil.

rn United States. Its foliage is like that of the myrtle, and the flower has wavy crisped petals. -- Oriental crape. See Canton crape.

Having the leaves or petals arranged in the form of a cross; cruciform.

Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a family of plants which have four petals arranged like the arms of a cross, as the mustard, radish, turnip, etc.

d-shaped organ, resembling a cowl or monk's hood, as certain concave and arched sepals or petals.

the Primrose family, having depressed rounded corms, and pretty nodding flowers with the petals so reflexed as to point upwards, whence it is called rabbit's ears. It is also called sow bread, because hogs are said to eat the corms.

rennial herbs, with opposite leaves, and showy flowers (usually bright purple), with four petals and eight stamens, -- the only genus of the order Melastomaceæ inhabiting a temperate clime.

Having twice as many stamens as petals, as the geranium. R. Brown.