# Sepal

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Any of the separate parts of the calyx of a flower (excluding the bracts), usually green

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In a mature flower, the [perianth](/source/Perianth) consists of a calyx (sepals) and the corolla ([petals](/source/Petal)) it supports.

A **sepal** ([/ˈsɛpəl, ˈsiːpəl/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English))[1][2][3] is a part of the [flower](/source/Flower) of [angiosperms](/source/Angiosperms) (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the [petals](/source/Petal) when in bloom. Collectively, the sepals are called the ***calyx*** or ***calix***.[4]

## Etymology

Tetramerous flower of *[Ludwigia octovalvis](/source/Ludwigia_octovalvis)* showing petals and sepals

After blooming, the sepals of *[Hibiscus sabdariffa](/source/Hibiscus_sabdariffa)* expand into an edible [accessory fruit](/source/Accessory_fruit).

In many Fabaceae flowers, a calyx tube surrounds the petals.

The large calyx of the [medlar](/source/Medlar) fruit is the source of its vulgar nicknames.

The term *sepalum* was coined by [Noël Martin Joseph de Necker](/source/No%C3%ABl_Martin_Joseph_de_Necker) in 1790, and derived from [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek_language) [σκέπη](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CF%83%CE%BA%CE%AD%CF%80%CE%B7#Ancient_Greek)*(*sképē*)* 'covering'.[5][6]

Collectively, the sepals are called the *calyx* (plural: calyces),[7] the outermost [whorl](/source/Whorl_(botany)) of parts that form a flower. The word *calyx* was adopted from the Latin *[calyx](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/calyx#Latin)*,[8] not to be confused with *[calix](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/calix#Latin)* 'cup, goblet'.[9] The Latin *calyx* is derived from Greek [κάλυξ](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%BA%CE%AC%CE%BB%CF%85%CE%BE#Ancient_Greek) *kalyx* 'bud, calyx, husk, wrapping' (cf. Sanskrit *kalika* 'bud'),[10] while *calix* is derived from Greek [κύλιξ](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%BA%CF%8D%CE%BB%CE%B9%CE%BE#Ancient_Greek) *kylix* 'cup, goblet'; both words have been used interchangeably in botanical Latin.[11]

## Description

Sepals are usually green.[12] The term *[tepal](/source/Tepal)* is usually applied when the parts of the [perianth](/source/Perianth) are difficult to distinguish,[13] e.g. the petals and sepals share the same color or the petals are absent and the sepals are colorful. When the undifferentiated tepals resemble petals, they are referred to as "petaloid", as in [petaloid monocots](/source/Petaloid_monocots), orders of monocots with brightly colored tepals. Since they include [Liliales](/source/Liliales), an alternative name is lilioid monocots. Examples of plants in which the term tepal is appropriate include genera such as *[Aloe](/source/Aloe)* and *[Tulipa](/source/Tulipa)*. In contrast, genera such as *[Rosa](/source/Rose)* and *[Phaseolus](/source/Phaseolus)* have well-distinguished sepals and petals.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The number of sepals in a flower is its [merosity](/source/Merosity). Flower merosity is indicative of a plant's classification. The merosity of a [eudicot](/source/Eudicots) flower is typically four or five. The merosity of a [monocot](/source/Monocot) or [palaeodicot](/source/Palaeodicot) flower is three, or a multiple of three.

The development and form of the sepals vary considerably among [flowering plants](/source/Flowering_plant).[14] They may be free (polysepalous) or fused together (gamosepalous).[15] Often, the sepals are much reduced, appearing somewhat [awn](/source/Awn_(botany))-like, or as scales, teeth, or ridges. Most often such structures protrude until the fruit is mature and falls off.

Examples of flowers with much-reduced perianths are found among the [grasses](/source/Poaceae).

In some flowers, the sepals are fused towards the base, forming a *calyx tube* (as in the families [Lythraceae](/source/Lythraceae)[16] and [Fabaceae](/source/Fabaceae)). In other families (e.g. [Rosaceae](/source/Rosaceae) and [Myrtaceae](/source/Myrtaceae)), a [hypanthium](/source/Hypanthium) includes the bases of sepals, petals, and the attachment points of the [stamens](/source/Stamen).

Mechanical cues may be responsible for sepal growth and there is a strong evidence suggesting that [microtubules](/source/Microtubule) are present and determine the tensile strength and direction of growth at a molecular level.[17]

### Morphology

[Morphologically](/source/Plant_morphology), both sepals and petals are modified [leaves](/source/Leaves). The calyx (the sepals) and the corolla (the petals) are the outer sterile whorls of the flower, which together form the *perianth*.[18] In some plants, such as *[Aristolochia](/source/Aristolochia)*, the calyx is the primary whorl, forming a flower up to 50 cm (20 in) wide, with one sepal growing to a slender ribbon with a length of up to 4 m (13 ft) in *[Aristolochia grandiflora](/source/Aristolochia_grandiflora)*, the largest of all calyces.[19][20]

## Function

Sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.[12]

Similarly to ordinary leaves, sepals are capable of performing [photosynthesis](/source/Photosynthesis). However, photosynthesis in sepals occurs at a slower rate than in ordinary leaves due to sepals having a lower [stomatal](/source/Stoma) density which limits the spaces for gas exchange.[21]

After flowering, most plants have no more use for the calyx, which withers or becomes vestigial, although in a few plants such as *[Lodoicea](/source/Lodoicea)* and *[Solanum melongena](/source/Solanum_melongena)* (aubergine, brinjal) the calyx grows along with the fruit, possibly to protect the attachment point. Some plants retain a thorny calyx, either dried or live, as protection for the fruit or seeds. Examples include species of *[Acaena](/source/Acaena)*, some of the [Solanaceae](/source/Solanaceae) (for example the [tomatillo](/source/Tomatillo) *Physalis philadelphica*), and the [water caltrop](/source/Water_caltrop), *Trapa natans*. In some species, the calyx not only persists after flowering but instead of withering, begins to grow until it forms a bladder-like enclosure around the fruit. This is an effective protection against some kinds of birds and insects, for example in *[Hibiscus trionum](/source/Hibiscus_trionum)* and in *[Physalis](/source/Physalis)* species. In some other plants, the calyx grows into an [accessory fruit](/source/Accessory_fruit).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** From French *sépale*, from [Neo-Latin](/source/Neo-Latin) *sepalum*, a blend of *sep-* from Greek *skepē* 'covering' and *-alum* from Neo-Latin *petalum* 'petal', influenced by French *pétale* 'petal'.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Oxford Languages | The Home of Language Data"](https://languages.oup.com/). *languages.oup.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["sepal"](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sepal). *[Collins English Dictionary](/source/Collins_English_Dictionary)*. [HarperCollins](/source/HarperCollins). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1120411289](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1120411289).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["calyx"](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/calyx). *Dictionary.com*. Dictionary.com, LLC. Retrieved 26 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Stearn, William T. (2000). Botanical Latin, 4th ed.: 38–39. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-88192-321-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-88192-321-4)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Necker, N.J. de (1790). [Corollarium ad Philosophiam botanicam Linnaei 18](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3589030), [31](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3589043)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SOED_7-0)** *Shorter Oxford English dictionary, 6th ed*. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. 2007. p. 3804. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0199206872](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0199206872).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BotGloss_8-0)** Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent; Published by Gerald Duckworth & Co. London, 4th ed 1928

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** John Entick, William Crakelt, Tyronis thesaurus, or, Entick's new Latin English dictionary. Publisher: E.J. Coale, 1822

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Latin_Tucker_10-0)** Tucker, T. G. (1931). *A Concise Etymological Dictionary of Latin*. Halle (Saale): Max Niemeyer Verlag.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Stearn, William T. (2000). Botanical Latin, 4th ed.: 38

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Beentje2010p106_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Beentje2010p106_12-1) Beentje, Henk (2010). *The Kew Plant Glossary*. Richmond, Surrey: [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84246-422-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84246-422-9)., p. 106

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Beentje2010p119_13-0)** [Beentje 2010](#CITEREFBeentje2010), p. 119

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Sattler, R. 1973. *Organogenesis of Flowers. A Photographic Text-Atlas*. University of Toronto Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8020-1864-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8020-1864-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBeentje201051_&_91_15-0)** [Beentje 2010](#CITEREFBeentje2010), pp. 51 & 91.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Carr, Gerald. ["*Lythraceae*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081205132651/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/lythr.htm). University of Hawaii. Archived from [the original](http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/FACULTY/CARR/lythr.htm) on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Hervieux, Nathan; Dumond, Mathilde; Sapala, Aleksandra; Routier-Kierzkowska, Anne-Lise; Kierzkowski, Daniel; Roeder, Adrienne H.K.; Smith, Richard S.; Boudaoud, Arezki; Hamant, Olivier (April 2016). ["A Mechanical Feedback Restricts Sepal Growth and Shape in Arabidopsis"](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cub.2016.03.004). *Current Biology*. **26** (8): 1019–1028. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2016CBio...26.1019H](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016CBio...26.1019H). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.004](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cub.2016.03.004). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[11858/00-001M-0000-002B-1620-2](https://hdl.handle.net/11858%2F00-001M-0000-002B-1620-2). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [27151660](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27151660).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Davis1979_18-0)** Davis, P.H.; Cullen, J. (1979). *The identification of flowering plant families, including a key to those native and cultivated in north temperate regions*. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 106. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-521-29359-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-521-29359-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Rohwer, Jens G. (2002). *Tropical Plants of the World*. New York: Sterling. p. 208.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Pfeifer, HW (November 1966). ["Revision of the North and Central American Species of Aristolochia"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/4247). *Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden*. **53** (2): 164. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/2394940](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F2394940). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [2394940](https://www.jstor.org/stable/2394940).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Aschan, G.; Pfanz, H.; Vodnik, D.; Batič, F. (1 March 2005). ["Photosynthetic performance of vegetative and reproductive structures of green hellebore (*Helleborus viridis* L. agg.)"](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs11099-005-5064-x). *Photosynthetica*. **43** (1): 55–64. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2005Phsyn..43...55A](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005Phsyn..43...55A). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s11099-005-5064-x](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs11099-005-5064-x). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [24426595](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:24426595).

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## External links

- Media related to [Sepals](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sepals) at Wikimedia Commons

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sepal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepal) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepal?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.