Merosity
In this article, we will explore in detail Merosity, a topic that has had a significant impact on various aspects of contemporary society. Since its emergence, Merosity has captured the attention of academics, experts in the field and the general public, generating debate and interest around its implications. Over the years, Merosity has evolved and acquired new nuances, becoming a reference point that has marked a before and after in different areas. Through a comprehensive analysis, we will examine the different dimensions of Merosity, from its origin to its relevance today, as well as its possible future focus. In addition, we will address the various perspectives and opinions that have emerged around this phenomenon, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and enriching vision of Merosity.
Merosity (from the greek "méros," which means "having parts")[citation needed]) refers to the number of component parts in a distinct whorl of a plant structure.[1] The term is most commonly used in the context of a flower where it refers to the number of sepals in a whorl of the calyx, the number of petals in a whorl of the corolla, the number of stamens in a whorl of the androecium, or the number of carpels in a whorl of the gynoecium. The term may also be used to refer to the number of leaves in a leaf whorl.
| Noun | Adjective | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 parts | dimery | dimerous, 2-merous |
| 3 parts | trimery | trimerous, 3-merous |
| 4 parts | tetramery | tetramerous, 4-merous |
| 5 parts | pentamery | pentamerous, 5-merous |
| many parts | polymery | polymerous |
| few parts | oligomery | oligomerous |
The adjective n-merous refers to a whorl of n parts, where n is any integer greater than one.
In nature, five or three parts per whorl have the highest frequency of occurrence, but four or two parts per whorl are not uncommon. Two consecutive whorls of dimerous petals are often mistaken for tetramerous petals.[1]
If all of the whorls in a given floral arrangement have the same merosity, the flower is said to be isomerous, otherwise the flower is anisomerous.[2] For example, Trillium is isomerous since all whorls are trimerous (one whorl of three sepals, zero or one whorl of three petals, two whorls of three stamens each, and one whorl of three carpels). Trillium also has one whorl of three leaves.
| Noun | Adjective | |
|---|---|---|
| equal parts | isomery | isomerous |
| unequal parts | anisomery | anisomerous |
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See also
References
- ^ a b Ronse Decraene, L. P.; Smets, E. F. (1994). "Merosity in flowers: definition, origin, and taxonomic significance". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 191 (1–2): 83–104. doi:10.1007/BF00985344. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ Eckel, P. M. "A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin". Retrieved 22 November 2019.