1. the fringe of teeth around the opening of a moss capsule
Usage: botany
2. the area around the mouth opening in various invertebrates
Usage: zoology

Examples

• The botanist examined the peristome of the moss under a microscope.
• Each species of moss has a distinctive peristome structure.
• The peristome helps control spore dispersal in mosses.
• Marine biologists study the peristome of sea anemones.
• The peristome surrounds the oral opening in many cnidarians.
• Moss identification often relies on peristome characteristics.