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

During the breeding season, Costa's hummingbirds can be found in desert habitats, particularly areas with blooming ocotillo and other flowering plants. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2024

She’s chosen and planted as many species of flowering plants as possible for this farm, which today boasts 350 different varieties. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 20 Sep. 2024

Scientists estimate that about 90 percent of flowering plants are pollinated by animals, most of which are insects. —Benji Jones, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024

The Promenade d'Iberville green roof, with western red cedar decking and more than 24,000 aromatic and flowering plants, was built on top of the city’s main cruise terminal. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 25 June 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