noun
- a floral arrangement in which the sepals, petals, and stamens are attached above the ovary, making the ovary appear to be below the other flower parts
Usage: botany; also called epigynous condition
Examples
- Epigyny is common in flowers of the apple and pear families.
- In epigyny, the receptacle grows up around the ovary, creating an inferior ovary.
- Botanists distinguish epigyny from hypogyny by observing the position of the ovary relative to other floral parts.
- The apple flower exhibits epigyny, which is why the fruit develops from the receptacle surrounding the ovary.
- Understanding epigyny helps classify flowering plants into different families.