chasmogamous
|chas-mo-ga-mous|
/ˌkæzməˈɡeɪməs/
open flower (allows cross-pollination)
Etymology
'chasmogamous' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'chasma' and 'gamos', where 'chasma' meant 'opening, gap' and 'gamos' meant 'marriage, union'.
'chasmogamous' entered scientific vocabulary via New Latin/botanical Latin (e.g., 'chasmogamus' / the noun 'chasmogamy') and was adopted into English botanical usage in the 19th century.
Initially formed from elements meaning 'open/union' in Greek to describe opening/union of reproductive parts; it has come to mean specifically 'having open flowers that expose reproductive organs and permit cross-pollination' in modern botanical usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having open flowers that expose the reproductive organs and are capable of cross-pollination (as opposed to cleistogamous, or closed, flowers).
Many plant species produce both chasmogamous flowers, which are open and insect-pollinated, and cleistogamous flowers, which remain closed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/10 20:34