ETYM Pref. peri- + Greek anthos flower: cf. French périanthe.
Collective term for the outer parts of a flower consisting of the calyx and corolla and enclosing the stamen and carpel; SYN. floral envelope.
External part of flower, including corolla and calyx.
In botany, a collective term for the outer whorls of the flower, which protect the reproductive parts during development. In most dicotyledons the perianth is composed of two distinct whorls, the calyx of sepals and the corolla of petals, whereas in many monocotyledons the sepals and petals are indistinguishable and the segments of the perianth are then known individually as tepals.