What does TEPAL mean?

Parts of Speech

Tepal is a noun.

Definitions

A tepal is a unit of a flowers perianth that is not clearly differentiated into sepals and petals. In other words, tepals are similar in structure and color and cannot be distinguished as either sepals or petals.

Pronunciations

US: /ˈtɛpəl/

UK: /ˈtiːpəl/

Origin and Usage

The word tepal was first recorded in 1879 and is derived from the Greek words "tepalos" meaning "mat, carpet, or covering." Tepals are commonly found in flowers of the lily family and are often used to describe the perianth of monocots, which includes grasses and orchids.

Synonyms

None

Related Words

petal, sepal, stela, spelt, slept

Example Sentences

• The flowers tepals were a vibrant shade of pink.
• The tepals of the lily were difficult to distinguish as either sepals or petals.
• The orchids tepals were a beautiful shade of purple.