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Calyx

/KAY-liks/
🌸 Flower Parts●● Intermediate

The outermost whorl of a flower, composed of all the sepals. The calyx encloses and protects the developing flower bud. It may be fused (gamosepalous) or have separate sepals (polysepalous).

Etymology

From Latin calyx, from Greek kalyx, meaning "husk, shell, cup."

Example

The persistent calyx of a strawberry remains attached to the fruit as it ripens.

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