Pronunciation: [pɛlˈɔːɹi͡ə] (IPA) 
Peloria is a rare word that you may not come across often. The IPA phonetic transcription for Peloria is pɛlɔriə. This word is often spelled with an "e" instead of an "a" due to its Greek origin. In Greek, the letter "epsilon" (ε), which makes the "e" sound, is sometimes used instead of the letter "alpha" (α), which makes the "a" sound. Peloria may be used to refer to an abnormality in the floral structure of some plants.
Peloria refers to an abnormal, atypical condition found in certain plants, mainly flowers, where their organs display an altered structure compared to traditional forms. In such cases, the flowers deviate from their usual symmetrical shape and instead exhibit unusual patterns, orientation, or duplication of floral parts. This phenomenon can be observed in a range of plant species, including both wild and cultivated varieties.
The concept of peloria is often associated with genetic mutations or developmental abnormalities, resulting in the production of flowers that significantly differ from the plant's standard morphology. These modified flowers may display an array of intriguing characteristics such as additional petals, stamen transformation into petals, or even a complete reversal of organ positioning. Consequently, peloric flowers can be visually striking and captivating to observe due to their distinctive and sometimes exotic appearance.
The term "peloria" is derived from the Greek word "pelorios," meaning "monster" or "monsterlike." This etymology reflects the notion that peloric flowers are indeed perceived as deviations from the norm. Despite their abnormality, peloric flowers have occasionally been embraced as ornamental novelties and incorporated into horticultural practices, particularly in hybridization experiments or ornamental breeding programs aimed at creating unique floral variations. Peloria has thus attracted significant attention in the botanical and horticultural domains, contributing to our understanding of the diverse forms and genetic mutations that can occur within the realm of plant growth and development.
In bot., a form assumed by certain flowers, which, being unsymmetrical in their usual state, become symmetrical, in what may be considered as a return to their normal type, as when linaria in place of one spur produces five.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Peloria" has its roots in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "pelóros" (πηλόρος), which means "monstrously large" or "gigantic". In botanical terminology, "Peloria" is used to describe a phenomenon where a flower displays abnormal or unusual characteristics, often resulting in a distorted or unusually large bloom.
