sepal – small green modified leaf on the outside of the petals that protects the budding flower

(Pronounced see-pl)

To remember the meaning of sepal, use the following mnemonic:

The sea pals (sepals) are green and surround the bud to protect it.

A sepal is one of the outermost parts of a flower and are typically green, leaf-like structures that serve as protective coverings for the developing bud flower. They enclose and guard the more delicate inner parts like petals, stamens and pistils before the flower opens. In most flowers, sepals are located at the base of the flower and remain attached even after the flower has bloomed, though they may become less prominent as the colourful petals emerge. The number of sepals varies between different plant species, but they often correspond to the number of petals or other flower parts. 

Although their main purpose is protection, some sepals are known to play a role in attracting pollinators with brightly coloured petal-like appearances.