capitulum

views updated May 23 2018

capitulum An inflorescence that consists of closely packed flowers or florets which have no stalks and arise on a flattened axis, all at the same level. The capitulum is surrounded or subtended by an involucre of bracts giving it the appearance of a single flower. Capitula are typical of the Compositae.

capitulum

views updated May 23 2018

capitulum (gnathosoma)
1. In goose barnacles (Lepadidae), the main part of the body, including the carapace, that is mounted on the peduncle.

2. In Chelicerata, the part of the body that carries the mouth-parts.

capitulum

views updated Jun 27 2018

capitulum A type of flowering shoot (see racemose inflorescence) characteristic of plants of the family Compositae (Asteraceae), e.g. daisy and dandelion. The tip of the shoot is flattened and bears many small stalkless flowers (florets) surrounded by an involucre (ring) of bracts. This arrangement gives the appearance of a single flower.

capitulum

views updated May 29 2018

capitulum (kă-pit-yoo-lŭm) n. the small rounded end of a bone that articulates with another bone. c. humeri (or capitellum) the round prominence at the elbow end of the humerus that articulates with the radius.

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