Talk:Tepal

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Why did you delete the section on merosity? The article is (without it) only a definition and should be ported over to Wikipedia, but serves the purpose here of having an article on the perianth parts - Marshman 00:54, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

This article seems to be misleading. It starts by suggesting that tepals are peculiar to the Magnoliaceae, which is incorrect. I will make changes now so that it is roughly in line with what other sources agree a tepal to be, but please could someone who knows more about the subject sort it out? Thanks. Owl 14:39, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

OK, further to my last post, I've had a look at the history, and I propose reverting the article to its version on the 1st of December (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tepal&oldid=91340499). I will post on Hardyplants' talk page to ask him about his sources. If no-one disagrees, I shall make the revert in a couple of days. Owl 14:50, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

"In a general sense, a tepal is an element of the perianth of a flower, such as a petal or sepal. The perianth comprises the outer, sterile whorls of a flower. The term tepal is usually used when all segments of a perianth are of similar shape and color (that is, undifferentiated). This happens in the family Magnoliaceae and a number of other primitive flowering plants such as the Amborellaceae and Calycanthaceae."

Tepals are petals and sepals, there are other organs in the perianth that can be modified to look like petals, like stamens Note modern rose hybrids and Peonies). tepal is used for more than primitive plants, Hosta and many other genera have tepals, which are the result of the modification of the sepals. (Previous two paragraphs added: 19:14, 16 December 2006 Hardyplants)

Thanks, Hardyplants, for having another go at editing it. I still don't think it is clear, however. I will try editing it myself, and see what people think. Owl 14:54, 17 December 2006 (UTC)