flowering plant

noun

plural flowering plants

: any of a class (Angiospermae) of vascular plants that have male and female reproductive structures enclosed in a flower, that have seeds which arise from ovules contained in the ovaries, and that produce dry or fleshy fruits after double fertilization : angiosperm

The butterflies feed off the nectar of any flowering plant and lay their eggs on what's called a host plant.

—Michael Fitzpatrick

About 75% of all flowering plants rely on animal pollinators and over 200,000 species of animals act as pollinators.

—Steve Smith

Duckweed, the smallest flowering plant, measures less than 5 millimeters across.

—Timothy Cooney et al.

Examples of flowering plant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over 80% of the world's flowering plants require a pollinator to reproduce. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 25 May 2024

The start of seasonal activity varies across bee species and flowering plants, aligning with seasonal blooming schedules. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024

During the breeding season, Costa's hummingbirds can be found in desert habitats, particularly areas with blooming ocotillo and other flowering plants. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

Folk medicine prescribes this flowering plant to soothe pain and heal burns and wounds, thanks to its anti-inflammatory chemicals. —Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

flowering plant

noun

: any of a major group of higher plants that produce flowers, fruits, and seeds with the seeds in a closed ovary

called also angiosperm

compare seed plant