Peristome

[peristәum]

(noun.) region around the mouth in various invertebrates.

(noun.) (botany) fringe of toothlike appendages surrounding the mouth of a moss capsule.

Inputed by Lawrence--From WordNet

(n.) The fringe of teeth around the orifice of the capsule of mosses. It consists of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 teeth, and may be either single or double.

(n.) The lip, or edge of the aperture, of a spiral shell.

(n.) The membrane surrounding the mouth of an invertebrate animal.

Edited by Angelina

n. the mouth-parts of echinoderms &c.: the fringe of hair-like appendages round the rim of the capsule of a moss.

Checked by Clive