How Do You Spell HETEROSTYLISM?

Pronunciation: [hˈɛtɹə͡ʊstˌa͡ɪlɪzəm] (IPA)

Heterostylism is a biological term for the existence of two or more floral morphs within the same species. The word is pronounced as /hɛtərəʊstaɪlɪz(ə)m/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial segment "hetero" means "different," while "stylism" refers to the styles of the plant. The word's spelling is derived from hetero-, meaning different or varying, and -stylism, which denotes the shape or position of reproductive structures. Heterostylism is a fascinating phenomenon in plant reproduction, and it enables cross-pollination and genetic diversity within a species.

HETEROSTYLISM Meaning and Definition

1. Heterostylism is a biological phenomenon found in certain plant species, characterized by the presence of two or more distinct morphological forms of flowers within a single population. These different forms, known as morphs or forms, typically differ in the lengths of their reproductive organs, such as the pistil and stamen. In heterostylous plants, the flowers of each morph are termed pin flowers and thrum flowers.

   The pin flowers possess a long pistil and short stamens, while the opposite is true for thrum flowers, which possess a long stamen and a short pistil. This unique floral polymorphism is controlled by a genetic system known as a sporophytic self-incompatibility system, which promotes outcrossing and prevents self-fertilization within a species.

   Heterostylism enhances cross-pollination and reproductive success within the population, as it encourages mating between flowers of different morphs. This promotes genetic diversity and may contribute to the adaptability and evolutionary success of these plant species.

   Examples of heterostylous plants include the primrose (Primula) and the cowslip (Primula veris), where different morphs can be observed within one population. The presence of two or more distinct flower forms in heterostylous plants distinguishes them from homostylous plants, in which all flowers share similar reproductive structures.

2. Heterogony.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for HETEROSTYLISM

• geterostylism
• beterostylism
• neterostylism
• jeterostylism
• ueterostylism
• yeterostylism
• hwterostylism
• hsterostylism
• hdterostylism
• hrterostylism
• h4terostylism
• h3terostylism
• hererostylism
• heferostylism
• hegerostylism
• heyerostylism
• he6erostylism
• he5erostylism
• hetwrostylism

Etymology of HETEROSTYLISM

The word "heterostylism" is derived from two Greek roots: "hetero" meaning "different" or "other", and "stylism" which refers to "style" or "arrangement". In the context of biology, heterostylism refers to a reproductive strategy in certain plant species where there are distinct morphological differences in style length and stamen position, usually associated with preventing self-fertilization.

Plural form of HETEROSTYLISM is HETEROSTYLISMS