Sepal
Diagram showing the parts of a mature flower. In this example the perianth is separated into a calyx (sepals) and corolla (petals) Tetramerous flower of Ludwigia octovalvis showing petals and sepals. After blooming, the sepals of Hibiscus sabdariffa expand into an edible accessory fruit In many Fabaceae flowers, a calyx tube surrounds the petals. A sepal ( / ˈ s ɛ p əl / or / ˈ s iː p əl / ) [1] [2] [3] is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom. [4] The term sepalum was coined by Noël Martin Joseph de Necker in 1790, and derived from the Greek σκεπη ( skepi ), a covering. [5] [6] Collectively the sepals are called the calyx (plural calyces), [7] the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. The word calyx was adopted from the Latin calyx , [8] not to be confused with calix , a cup or goblet. [9] Calyx derive...
