AMPHICARPA Meaning and
Definition
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Amphicarpa is a noun that refers to a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is commonly known as hog peanut. The word "amphicarpa" is derived from the Greek words "amphi" meaning "both" and "karpos" meaning "fruit," which reflects the characteristic feature of this plant as it produces both aerial and subterranean fruits.
Plants belonging to the genus Amphicarpa are primarily found in North America, with a few species occurring in eastern Asia. They are herbaceous annual vines that can reach lengths of several meters. The leaves are alternate and compound, typically consisting of three leaflets. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, usually white or pale pink in color. They are arranged in clusters and give way to two types of fruits.
The first type of fruit produced by Amphicarpa species is an aerial legume pod. It is a small, flattened, and oblong structure that contains several seeds. The second type of fruit is subterranean and develops underground. This peanut-like fruit is enclosed in a fleshy structure known as a geocarp, which protects the seeds from predation and aids in seed dispersal.
Amphicarpa plants are often found in woodland edges, disturbed areas, and along forest trails. They are not of significant economic importance but may serve as a source of food for wildlife. Additionally, the seeds have been consumed by some indigenous groups as a minor food source.
Common Misspellings for AMPHICARPA
- zmphicarpa
- smphicarpa
- wmphicarpa
- qmphicarpa
- anphicarpa
- akphicarpa
- ajphicarpa
- amohicarpa
- amlhicarpa
- am-hicarpa
- am0hicarpa
- ampgicarpa
- ampbicarpa
- ampnicarpa
- ampjicarpa
- ampuicarpa
- ampyicarpa
- amphucarpa
- amphjcarpa
Etymology of AMPHICARPA
The word "amphicarpa" is derived from the Greek roots "amphi", meaning "both" or "double", and "karpos", meaning "fruit".
This combination reflects the unique characteristic of some plants in the genus Amphicarpaea, commonly known as "hog peanut" or "groundnut", which produce different types of fruits – both aerial and subterranean. The aerial fruits are typical legume pods that develop above the ground, while the subterranean fruits grow underground, resembling peanuts. Hence, the name "amphicarpa" refers to their dual or double fruiting nature.
Similar spelling words for AMPHICARPA
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