A galea is an overhanging, helmet-shaped, part of the flower that protects the reproductive parts from precipitation, wind, or unwanted visitors. The galea is composed of one or more

petal Petals are modified leaves that form an inner whorl surrounding the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly coloured or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corol ...

s or

sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 Etymology The term ''sepalum'' ...

s that have either fused or folded together. The name is taken from the same word for a Roman soldier's helmet. The specific

epithet An epithet (, ), also a byname, is a descriptive term (word or phrase) commonly accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a real or fictitious person, place, or thing. It is usually literally descriptive, as in Alfred the Great, Suleima ...

''galeatus(-a-um)'', ''galeiformis(-e)'', ''galeritus(-a-um)'' or ''galericulatus(-a-um)'' can be found in nomenclature, referring to a prominent helmet-shaped feature in the organism. There are several genera that have been named to reflect this characteristic: ''

Galeandra ''Galeandra'', abbreviated as Gal in horticultural trade, is a genus of 37 known species of orchids native to South America, Central America, the West Indies and Florida. Species Species currently accepted as of June 2014: #''Galeandra arundi ...

'', ''

Galearia ''Galearia'' is a genus of plant of the family Pandaceae. It is native to Indochina, insular Southeast Asia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. They are large trees or shrub A shrub or bush is a small to medium-sized perennial woody plan ...

'' and ''

Galearis ''Galearis'' is a genus of the orchid family (Orchidaceae) native to North America and eastern Asia. It contains about ten recognized species. The family name comes from the Greek word ''orchis'' ('testicle'), in reference to the shape of the roo ...

''.

References

Plant morphology Plant reproduction {{plant-morphology-stub