noun
carpel
KAR-pul/ˈkɑːrpl/
A female reproductive structure of a flower that includes an ovary.
The flower's carpel connects its swollen ovary, slender style, and stigma.
Etymology
The “little fruit” formation links this reproductive flower part to fruit-bearing. It was coined as a botanical name for a pistil or part of one.
In context
Unit of gynoecium is carpel which is made up of stigma, style and ovary.
More examples
- Several carpels are fused together in this flower.
- The diagram shows the stigma at the tip of a carpel.
- Students count the flower's separate carpels.
Forms
carpel · carpels