Calyptra

This article is about the feature in plant morphology. For other uses, see Calyptra (disambiguation).

Calyptra (from καλύπτρα (kalúptra) "veil") is a scientific term used in botany. It describes a feature in plant morphology.

Calyptra of tortula moss Tortula muralis

Calyptra on top of the brown spore capsule (sporophyte) of the moss Physcomitrella patens. The brownish archegonial venter is still visible.

Bryophytes

In bryophytes, the calyptra (plural calyptrae) is an enlarged archegonial venter that protects the capsule containing the embryonic sporophyte. The calyptra is usually lost before the spores are released from the capsule. The shape of the calyptra can be used for identification purposes.

Flowering plants

In flowering plants, the calyptra is a covering tissue for stamens and carpels. The name is also used for the capping tissue of roots, the root cap.

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