What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
semelparity
Example
Salmon are an example of semelparous animals, as they reproduce only once in their lifetime. [semelparity: noun]
Example
The agave plant is semelparous, producing all of its flowers and seeds in a single burst before dying. [semelparous: adjective]
hapaxanthous
Example
The century plant is a hapaxanthous plant, blooming only once in its lifetime. [hapaxanthous: adjective]
Example
After the bamboo plant flowers, it dies, making it a hapaxanthous species. [hapaxanthous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Semelparity is more common than hapaxanthous in everyday language, as it is used to describe a wider range of organisms beyond just plants.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between semelparity and hapaxanthous?
Both semelparity and hapaxanthous are technical terms used in scientific contexts, making them more formal than everyday language.
