Sepal

A sepal (/ˈsɛpəl/ or /ˈsiːpəl/)[1][2][3] is a part of the flower of angiosperms

(flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the
flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.[4] The term
sepalum was coined by Noël Martin Joseph de Necker in 1790, and derived from the
Greek σκέπη (skepē), a covering.[5][6]

Collectively the sepals are called the calyx (plural calyces),[7] the outermost whorl of
parts that form a flower. The word calyx was adopted from the Latin calyx,[8] not to
be confused with calix, a cup or goblet.[9] Calyx derived from the Greek κάλυξ
(kalyx), a bud, a calyx, a husk or wrapping, (cf Sanskrit kalika, a bud)[10] while calix Diagram showing the parts of a mature flower. In
derived from the Greek κύλιξ (kylix), a cup or goblet, and the words have been used this example the perianth is separated into a calyx
interchangeably in botanical Latin.[11] (sepals) and corolla (petals)

After flowering, most plants have no more use for the calyx which withers or
becomes vestigial. Some plants retain a thorny calyx, either dried or live, as protection for the fruit
or seeds. Examples include species of Acaena, some of the Solanaceae (for example the Tomatillo,
Physalis philadelphica), and the water caltrop, Trapa natans. In some species the calyx not only
persists after flowering, but instead of withering, begins to grow until it forms a bladder-like
enclosure around the fruit. This is an effective protection against some kinds of birds and insects,
for example in Hibiscus trionum and the Cape gooseberry. In other species, the calyx grows into an
accessory fruit.

Morphologically, both sepals and petals are modified leaves. The calyx (the sepals) and the corolla
(the petals) are the outer sterile whorls of the flower, which together form what is known as the
perianth.[12]

The term tepal is usually applied when the parts of the perianth are difficult to distinguish,[13] e.g. Tetramerous flower of Ludwigia
the petals and sepals share the same color, or the petals are absent and the sepals are colorful. When octovalvis showing petals and
the undifferentiated tepals resemble petals, they are referred to as "petaloid", as in petaloid sepals.
monocots, orders of monocots with brightly coloured tepals. Since they include Liliales, an
alternative name is lilioid monocots. Examples of plants in which the term tepal is appropriate
include genera such as Aloe and Tulipa. In contrast, genera such as Rosa and Phaseolus have well-
distinguished sepals and petals.

The number of sepals in a flower is its merosity. Flower merosity is indicative of a plant's
classification. The merosity of a eudicot flower is typically four or five. The merosity of a monocot or
palaeodicot flower is three, or a multiple of three.

The development and form of the sepals vary considerably among flowering plants.[14] They may be
free (polysepalous) or fused together (gamosepalous).[15] Often, the sepals are much reduced, After blooming, the sepals of
appearing somewhat awn-like, or as scales, teeth, or ridges. Most often such structures protrude Hibiscus sabdariffa expand into an
until the fruit is mature and falls off. edible accessory fruit

Examples of flowers with much reduced perianths are found among the grasses.

In some flowers, the sepals are fused towards the base, forming a calyx tube (as in the Lythraceae family,[16] and Fabaceae). In other flowers
(e.g., Rosaceae, Myrtaceae) a hypanthium includes the bases of sepals, petals, and the attachment points of the stamens.

See also
Plant morphology

References
1. From French sépale, from New Latin sepalum, blend of sep- from Greek skepē, "a covering"
and -alum from New Latin petalum, "petal", influenced by French pétale "petal".
 2. "Oxford dictionary" (http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/sepal?view=uk).
3. "Collins dictionary" (http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sepal).
4. Beentje, Henk (2010). The Kew Plant Glossary. Richmond, Surrey: Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew. ISBN 978-1-84246-422-9, p. 106
5. Stearn, William T. (2000). Botanical Latin, 4th ed.: 38-39. ISBN 0-88192-321-4
6. Necker, N.J. de (1790). Corollarium ad Philosophiam botanicam Linnaei 18 (https://www.biodi
versitylibrary.org/page/3589030), 31 (https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3589043)
7. Shorter Oxford English dictionary, 6th ed. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. 2007.
p. 3804. ISBN 0199206872.
8. Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent;
In many Fabaceae flowers, a calyx
Published by Gerald Duckworth & Co. London, 4th ed 1928
tube surrounds the petals.
9. John Entick, William Crakelt, Tyronis thesaurus, or, Entick's new Latin English dictionary.
Publisher: E.J. Coale, 1822
10. Tucker, T. G. (1931). A Concise Etymological Dictionary of Latin. Halle (Saale): Max Niemeyer
Verlag.
11. Stearn, William T. (2000). Botanical Latin, 4th ed.: 38
12. Davis, P.H.; Cullen, J. (1979). The identification of flowering plant families, including a key to
those native and cultivated in north temperate regions. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press. p. 106. ISBN 0-521-29359-6.
13. Beentje 2010, p. 119
14. Sattler, R. 1973. Organogenesis of Flowers. A Photographic Text-Atlas. University of Toronto
Press. ISBN 0-8020-1864-5.
15. Beentje 2010, pp. 51 & 91.
16. Carr, Gerald. "Lythraceae" (https://web.archive.org/web/20081205132651/http://www.botan
y.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/lythr.htm). University of Hawaii. Archived from the original (http://
www.botany.hawaii.edu/FACULTY/CARR/lythr.htm) on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-20.

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