Tepalsis

Tepalsis is a term sometimes used in botany to refer to the perianth segments of a flower. The perianth is the outermost part of a flower, typically consisting of the calyx and the corolla. The calyx is usually made up of sepals, which are often green and enclose the bud, while the corolla is made up of petals, which are often brightly colored and attract pollinators. In some flowers, the sepals and petals are indistinguishable in shape, size, and color. When this occurs, both the sepals and petals are collectively referred to as tepals. This arrangement is common in certain plant families, such as the Liliaceae (lily family) and the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis family). The term tepal helps to describe these flowers where the distinction between sepal and petal is not clear. The number of tepals can vary greatly among different species of plants. Their function, like that of sepals and petals, is often to protect the reproductive organs of the flower and to attract pollinators. The appearance and arrangement of tepals are important characteristics used in plant identification and classification.