Galea (botany)

A galea is an overhanging, helmet-shaped, part of the flower[1][2] that protects the reproductive parts from precipitation, wind, or unwanted visitors. The galea is composed of one or more petals or sepals that have either fused or folded together. The name is taken from the same word for a Roman soldier's helmet. [3]

Neotinea lactea, an orchid

The specific epithet galeatus(-a-um), galeiformis(-e), galeritus(-a-um) or galericulatus(-a-um) can be found in nomenclature,[4] referring to a prominent helmet-shaped feature in the organism. There are several genera that have been named to reflect this characteristic: Galeandra, Galearia and Galearis. [5]


References
  1. Hickey, Michael; King, Clive; King, Michael (16 Nov 2000). The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge University Press. p. 18. ISBN 9780521794015.
  2. Candolle, Augustin Pyramus de; Sprengel, Kurt Polycarp Joachim (1821). Elements of the philosophy of plants: containing the principles of scientific botany. p. 96. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  3. Good, J.M.; Gregory, O.; Bosworth, N. (1819). Pantologia : A new cabinet cyclopaedia comprehending a complete series of essays, treatises, and systems alphabetically arranged; with a general dictionary of arts, sciences, and words Vol. 5: Flu-Hom. London, U.K.: Printed for J.Walker. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  4. "A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin". Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  5. Gledhill, David. The Names of Plants (4 ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 174. ISBN 9780511754951. Retrieved 30 April 2021.


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