The word "funiculus siliquae" refers to the stalk connecting a seedpod to its base. The spelling of this Latin term can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Funiculus" is pronounced as /fjuːˈnɪkjʊləs/, while "siliquae" is pronounced as /sɪˈlɪkweɪ/. The letter "c" in "siliquae" is pronounced like "q", while the final "-ae" is pronounced as /eɪ/. The spelling may seem complicated, but the IPA can help readers and speakers accurately pronounce unfamiliar words like "funiculus siliquae."
Funiculus siliquae, also known as the funicle or seed stalk, is a botanical term used to describe the structure that connects the ovule or seed to the ovary or fruit in various plants, especially those belonging to the family Fabaceae (legumes). This term is derived from the Latin words "funiculus," meaning cord or rope, and "siliquae," referring to a type of fruit characteristic of the Brassicaceae family, which includes mustard and cabbage plants.
The funiculus serves as a vital transport channel that supplies nutrients and water to the developing seed. It also serves as a conduit for removing waste materials and metabolic byproducts from the seed. Depending on the species, the funicle may be slender or thick, short or long. In some cases, the funiculus may expand and develop into structures that aid in dispersal, such as wings or hairs that catch the wind or mechanisms that allow the seed to float in water.
The funiculus is an essential anatomical feature of plants as it ensures the proper development and nourishment of seeds. Without a functional funicle, seeds may not receive the necessary resources for growth, hindering germination and potentially affecting the plant's reproductive success. Understanding the morphology and function of the funiculus is important for botanists and agriculturalists as it plays a crucial role in seed propagation, crop production, and the study of plant evolution and genetics.
One of the bundles of fibers on the surface of the nucleus olivaris inferior.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "funiculus siliquae" is a Latin phrase.
- "Funiculus" in Latin means "a small rope" or "a little cord". It is derived from the Latin word "funis", meaning "a rope".
- "Siliqua" in Latin refers to "a pod" or "husk". It is derived from the Latin word "silicula", which means "a small seed vessel".
When combined, "funiculus siliquae" literally translates to "the little rope of the pod" or "the cord of the husk". This term is commonly used in botany to describe the slender stalk or cord-like structure that attaches a seed pod (siliqua) to the plant.