Perianth
/ˈpɛr.i.ænθ/noun
The collective floral envelope consisting of a flower’s sepals and petals, especially when they are not clearly distinct.
Did you know?Perianths can resemble petals, but in many plants they are technically tepals because sepals and petals cannot be clearly distinguished.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“Forward, through, or around; an ancient directional root behind many words involving boundaries and passage.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
περί (peri)
“Around, about, or surrounding.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄνθος (anthos)
“Flower or blossom.”
18th Century
New Latin
perianthium
“The floral covering surrounding the reproductive parts of a flower.”
Modern English
English
perianth
“The outer floral envelope, made up of sepals, petals, or undifferentiated tepals.”