peristome

per·i·stome  (pr-stm)

n.

1. Botany A fringe of toothlike appendages surrounding the mouth of a moss capsule.

2. Zoology The area or parts around the mouth in certain invertebrates.

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peri·stomal (-stml), peri·stomi·al (-stm-l) adj.

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peristome [ˈpɛrɪˌstəʊm]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) a fringe of pointed teeth surrounding the opening of a moss capsule

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) any of various parts surrounding the mouth of invertebrates, such as echinoderms and earthworms, and of protozoans

[from New Latin peristoma, from peri- + Greek stoma mouth]

peristomal , peristomial adj

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peristome  (pr-stm)

1. A fringe of toothlike appendages surrounding the mouth of the spore capsule of some mosses. The teeth unfold under damp conditions and curl up under dry conditions to disperse spores gradually.

2. The area or parts around the mouth in certain invertebrates, such as the echinoderms.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	peristome - (botany) fringe of toothlike appendages surrounding the mouth of a moss capsule phytology, botany - the branch of biology that studies plants capsule - a dry dehiscent seed vessel or the spore-containing structure of e.g. mosses plant process, enation - a natural projection or outgrowth from a plant body or organ
	2.	peristome - region around the mouth in various invertebrates invertebrate - any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification anatomical structure, bodily structure, body structure, complex body part, structure - a particular complex anatomical part of a living thing; "he has good bone structure"