cupliform

Cupliform is an adjective used in biological and geological descriptions to indicate a cup-shaped form. In morphology, a cupliform structure is hollow or concave with a rim and a rounded bottom, resembling a shallow cup. The term is formed from the root cup- meaning cup and the suffix -iform meaning shaped, and is used descriptively rather than taxonomically.

In botany, cupliform describes structures such as calyxes, corollas, or nectaries that form a shallow cup to enclose floral parts or guide pollinator movement. The cupliform shape can influence fluid collection, pollen presentation, or protection of reproductive organs.

In geology and related earth sciences, cupliform describes rims, depressions, or cavities that are cup-shaped. Such forms can occur as weathering features, voids in sediment, or as cavities in mineral aggregates, and are typically described in field observations and petrographic descriptions.

Avoiding overinterpretation, cupliform is a descriptive term rather than a taxonomic category, and its precise meaning may vary by discipline or author. When encountered, it is advisable to consult the original context to determine whether the term refers to a curvature, a hollow, or a hollowed-out structure with a defined rim.