Bot. [mod.L., f. L. stāmin- STAMEN + mod.L. -ōdium (see -ODE).]

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  a.  A sterile or abortive stamen, or an organ resembling an abortive stamen, without its anther.

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1821.  S. F. Gray, Brit. Plants, I. 158. Staminodium, appendages which appear to be abortive anthers.

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1829.  Clinton, trans. A. Richard’s Elem. Bot. (ed. 4), 297. In general, these stamina are replaced by appendages which have received the name of staminodia.

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1847.  W. E. Steele, Field Bot., 142. Staminodium roundish, entire.

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1859.  Mayne, Expos. Lex., Staminodium, Term by L. C. Richard for appendages of the gynostemium of the Orchideæ, which appear to be the rudiments of aborted stamens.

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  b.  The antheridium of a cryptogam.

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1848.  A. Gray, Man. Bot., p. xxxvi. (Jackson).

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