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zigomorfa

Zigomorfa is a botanical term describing bilateral symmetry in organisms or structures, most commonly flowers. A zigomorfa flower has a single plane of symmetry, so it can be divided into mirror-image halves only along one orientation. This contrasts with actinomorfa, or radially symmetric flowers, which can be split into two or more mirror planes.

Originating from Greek, the word combines zygos ('yoked') and morphe ('form'). In botany, zigomorfa is used to

Zygomorphy occurs in several angiosperm lineages and is particularly common in the Fabaceae subfamily Faboideae, where

Ecologically, zygomorphic flowers often promote specialization by directing approach and contact with pollinators, increasing the likelihood

In summary, zigomorphy describes bilaterally symmetric flowers that differ from radial, actinomorphic forms and frequently relate

describe
flowers
that
display
zygomorphy,
often
due
to
specialized
corolla
shapes
that
constrain
pollinator
access.
the
standard
'banner'
and
the
keel
produce
a
bilaterally
symmetric
corolla.
Other
well-known
zigomorph
flowers
include
Antirrhinum
majus
(snapdragon)
and
many
orchid
flowers,
which
often
display
a
single
front
plane
due
to
a
specialized
lip.
of
efficient
pollen
transfer.
The
evolution
of
zygomorphy
is
linked
to
coevolution
with
particular
pollinators
and
occurs
in
many
temperate
and
tropical
flora
worldwide.
to
pollination
strategies
and
evolutionary
diversification.
Related
terms
include
actinomorphy
and
zygomorphy
as
opposing
concepts
in
floral
symmetry.