n. A segment of the perianth of a flower in which the calyx and corolla (which make up the perianth) are nearly indistinguishable, as in tulips or lilies. The tepals are equivalent to the petals and sepals. [French tépale, alteration (influenced by sépale, sepal) of pétale, petal, from New Latin petalum; see PETAL.] |
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