ISADELPHOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Isadelphous is an adjective that refers to a characteristic found in certain plants, especially in the Leguminosae family, which comprises legume plants like peas and beans. The term is derived from the Greek words "isos," meaning equal, and "adelphos," meaning brother, indicating plants in which all the stamens are fused together by their filaments into a tube. This fusion leads to the formation of a single stamen complex, often resembling a cylinder or a tube-like structure. The isadelphous condition can be observed when the anthers, the pollen-producing structures of the stamens, are located along the inner wall of the stamen tube.
The stamen tube formed by the union of the filaments provides support for the anthers while also acting as a shield to protect the pollen grains contained within. This arrangement allows for efficient pollination since the pollen is protected and easily accessible to pollinators, such as bees or butterflies, who can brush against the anthers and collect the pollen. Isadelphous plants often exhibit a bilateral symmetry due to the cohesion of the stamens, with the stamen tube extending along one side of the flower.
Isadelphous is a descriptive term used by botanists and plant taxonomists to classify and study plant species. By identifying and understanding the isadelphous characteristic in plants, researchers can gain insights into their reproductive strategies and ecological interactions with pollinators.
Common Misspellings for ISADELPHOUS
- Iseldelphous
- Isadephous
- Isodelphous
- Isadelpous
- Izadelphous
- Isadelphos
- Isadelfous
Etymology of ISADELPHOUS
The word "isadelphous" is derived from two Greek roots: "isos", meaning equal, and "adelphos", meaning brother. In botany, the term "isadelphous" is used to describe a condition where the filaments of a flower are fused together into a tube but are free towards the apex, resembling the equal and separate stamens of a brotherhood.
