noun
- Plural of cyathium; specialized flower-like structures in plants of the genus Euphorbia, consisting of a cup-shaped involucre containing staminate and pistillate flowers.
Usage: botanical term; technical
Examples
- The cyathia of poinsettias are surrounded by colorful bracts that many people mistake for petals.
- Botanists study the structure of cyathia to understand Euphorbia reproduction.
- The cyathia contain both male and female reproductive organs within a single involucral cup.
- Under magnification, the cyathia reveal intricate glandular structures.