angiosperm etymology

Etymology

  • Angio (Greek): vessel, container
  • Sperm (Greek): seed

Meaning and Origin

Angiosperm is a term that refers to a group of flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within an ovary. The term was coined by French botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in the late 18th century, who used it to distinguish these plants from gymnosperms, which produce naked seeds.

Angiosperms are characterized by the presence of flowers, which are reproductive structures that contain stamens (male reproductive structures) and carpels (female reproductive structures). The ovules (immature seeds) are enclosed within the ovary, which develops into a fruit after fertilization.

Angiosperms are the most diverse group of plants on Earth, with over 300,000 known species. They play a crucial role in ecology, providing food, shelter, and oxygen for animals and other organisms. They are also an important source of medicine, fuel, and other products.

The origin of angiosperms is uncertain, but fossil evidence suggests that they first appeared during the Early Cretaceous period (about 145 million years ago). They rapidly diversified and became the dominant group of plants on the planet.

angiosperm relate terms

  • gymnosperm

    Etymology The term gymnosperm is derived from two Greek words gymnos meaning naked

  • gymno

    Etymology The word gymno is derived from the Greek word gymnos γυμνος meani

  • sprout

    Etymology Middle English sprote Old English sprēot Proto Germanic sprutus Proto Ind

  • sparse

    Etymology Late Latin sparsus scattered dispersed source of French épars Spanish e

  • angio

    Etymology The word angio comes from the Greek word aggeion which means vessel M

  • bloom

    Etymology The word bloom has multiple etymological origins Old English blóma mea

  • flower

    Etymology The word flower derives from the Old English word flōwer which is cognate

  • blossom

    Etymology The word blossom ultimately derives from the Proto Germanic word blōsmō

  • plant

    Etymology The word plant comes from the Latin word planta which means sole of the f

  • tangle

    Etymology The word tangle originates from the Middle English word tangel which is i

  • jersey

    Etymology and Meaning The word jersey has multiple origins and meanings Origin 1 C

  • cynic

    Etymology The word cynic comes from the Greek word κυνικός kunikos which me

  • brace

    Etymology The word brace has several etymological roots Middle English brace de

  • chimera

    Etymology Ancient Greek χίμαιρα chímaira from χίμαρος chímaros m

  • cultivate

    Etymology Latin colere to tend cultivate Old French cultiver Middle English cul