Main Entry: cleis·tog·a·mous

Pronunciation: \klī-ˈstä-gə-məs\

Variant(s): also cleis·to·gam·ic \ˌklī-stə-ˈga-mik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Greek kleistos closed (from kleiein to close) + International Scientific Vocabulary -gamous — more at clavicle

Date: 1874

: characterized by or being small inconspicuous closed self-pollinating flowers additional to and often more fruitful than showier ones on the same plant <violets are cleistogamous>

— cleis·tog·a·mous·ly \klī-ˈstä-gə-məs-lē\ adverb

— cleis·tog·a·my \-ˈstä-gə-mē\ noun