Pelorism is the term, said to be first used by Charles Darwin, for the formation of 'peloric flowers'[1] which botanically is the abnormal production of radially symmetrical (actinomorphic) flowers in a species that usually produces bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic) flowers.[2] These flowers are spontaneous floral symmetry mutants. The term epanody is also applied to this phenomenon.[3] Bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic) flowers are known to have evolved several times from radially symmetrical (actinomorphic) flowers, these changes being linked to increasing specialisation in pollinators.[4]
- ^ "Oxford Dictionary". Oxford Living Dictionaries. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "Definition of Pelorian". The Free Dictionary. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "Definition of Pelorian". The Free Dictionary. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "Cycloidea". Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. Retrieved 29 December 2017.