adj opening as if by doors or valves, as most kinds of capsules and some anthers.
2. valvate ·adj resembling, or serving as, a valve; consisting of, or opening by, a valve or valves; valvular.
3. valvate ·adj meeting at the edges without overlapping;
said of the sepals or the petals of flowers in aestivation, and of leaves in vernation.