Perisperm is a term commonly used in botany, referring to a nutritive tissue in seeds that is derived from the maternal plant. Although it is a specific term, alternative words with similar meaning may be used to describe this tissue. One example is the endosperm, which is the tissue in seeds that surrounds the embryo and provides nutrients for its growth. Other synonyms for perisperm include albumen, which is a protein-rich substance in some seeds, and cotyledon, which is the embryonic leaf in a seed that functions in nutrient absorption. All of these terms describe the same basic structure in a seed that serves to nourish the developing embryo.