DICLINOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Diclinous is an adjective that describes the characteristic of having separate female and male reproductive organs on different individuals within the same species. This term is commonly used in botany and refers to plants that exhibit a sexual differentiation system referred to as dioecy. In dioecious plants, the flowers of a particular species are either exclusively male or female, and individual plants bear only one type of flower.
Diclinous plants can be further classified into two categories: dioecious and monoecious. Dioecious plants have male and female flowers on separate individuals, while monoecious plants have both male and female flowers on the same individual. The term diclinous can be used interchangeably with dioecious when specifically referring to plants.
Diclinous plants have evolved this reproductive strategy to increase outcrossing and genetic diversity within a population. By separating male and female reproductive organs onto different individuals, the chances of self-fertilization are minimized, as individuals must rely on cross-pollination to reproduce. This can have important implications for plant distribution, as the lack of self-fertilization decreases the chances of inbreeding and promotes gene flow between distant populations. Additionally, diclinous plants often rely on symbiotic relationships with specific pollinators to ensure successful reproduction.
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In botany unisexual, noting flowers having only stamens or pistils; opposed to hermaphrodite.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In bot., having the male and female organs in separate flowers; unisexual.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for DICLINOUS
- siclinous
- xiclinous
- ciclinous
- ficlinous
- riclinous
- eiclinous
- duclinous
- djclinous
- dkclinous
- doclinous
- d9clinous
- d8clinous
- dixlinous
- divlinous
- diflinous
- didlinous
- dickinous
- dicpinous
- dicoinous
Etymology of DICLINOUS
The word "diclinous" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "di-", meaning "two", and "klinein", meaning "to lean" or "to slope". The suffix "-ous" is commonly used in English to indicate possession or fullness. Hence, "diclinous" literally means "having two slopes" or "having two leanings". In botany, this term refers to plants that have separate male and female flowers on the same individual organism.
Similar spelling words for DICLINOUS
- Tickleness,
- diclonius,
- tokelauans,
- declines,
- diclinies,
- tiglons,
- decolonise,
- touchlines,
- decolonize,
- Declinous,
- toeclonus,
- tickliness,
- taglionis,
- taglines.
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