<P> The term tepal is usually applied when the parts of the perianth are difficult to distinguish, e.g. the petals and sepals share the same color, or the petals are absent and the sepals are colorful . When the undifferentiated tepals resemble petals, they are referred to as "petaloid", as in petaloid monocots, orders of monocots with brightly coloured tepals . Since they include Liliales, an alternative name is lilioid monocots . Examples of plants in which the term tepal is appropriate include genera such as Aloe and Tulipa . In contrast, genera such as Rosa and Phaseolus have well - distinguished sepals and petals . </P> <P> The number of sepals in a flower is its merosity . Flower merosity is indicative of a plant's classification . The merosity of a eudicot flower is typically four or five . The merosity of a monocot or palaeodicot flower is three, or a multiple of three . </P> <P> The development and form of the sepals vary considerably among flowering plants . They may be free (polysepalous) or fused together (gamosepalous). Often, the sepals are much reduced, appearing somewhat awn - like, or as scales, teeth, or ridges . Most often such structures protrude until the fruit is mature and falls off . </P> <P> Examples of flowers with much reduced perianths are found among the grasses . </P>

What is the function of calyx in flower