Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
carpel
Noun
/ˈkɑːr.pəl/
Definition
A carpel is the female reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of an ovary, style, and stigma.
Examples
- The apple flower has five separate carpels that can each develop into a fruit.
- In many flowers, multiple carpels can be fused together to form a compound ovary.
Meaning
In botanical terms, a carpel is the part of a flower that produces ovules, which develop into seeds after fertilization.
Synonyms
- ovule-bearing structure
- pistil (when fused with others)
