# acalycal

CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acalycal
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

describing a flower that does not have a calyx. The calyx is the outer ring of leaves at the base of a flower.

For teachers: lacking a calyx; used to describe flowers that do not possess the outermost whorl of floral leaves.

## Examples

- The acalycal flower lacks the outer green petals.
- In some species of orchids, the flower is acalycal, meaning the calyx is either fused with the petals or completely absent.
- The study of acalycal structures in certain parasitic plants reveals how these organisms have evolved to minimize their reliance on traditional floral anatomy for reproduction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.