zygomorphic, a. Bot.
(zaɪgəʊˈmɔːfɪk, zɪg-)
[f. Gr. ζυγόν yoke + µορϕή form + -ic.]
Applied to a flower that is symmetrical about a single plane, i.e. divisible into similar lateral halves in only one way; = monosymmetrical. Also zygoˈmorphous; opp. to actinomorphous. So zygoˈmorphism, the character of being zygomorphic.
| 1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 526 In Orchids both whorls are developed in a petaloid, and like the whole flower in a zygomorphic or monosymmetrical manner. Ibid. 534 The zygomorphism of the flower. 1879 A. Gray Struct. Bot. 175 note, Both these forms [sc. monosymmetrical and polysymmetrical] have a more expressive and older terminology, adopted by Eichler, viz.:—Zygomorphous, for flowers, or other structures, which can be bisected in one plane,..(median zygomorphous, when this is a median or anteroposterior plane,..transverse zygomorphous, when the plane of section is transverse or at right angles to the median). |