INDEHISCENT Meaning and
Definition
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Indehiscent is an adjective used in botany and biology to describe a type of fruit or seed that remains closed and does not naturally split open at maturity to release its contents. The word is derived from the Latin roots "in" meaning "not" and "dehiscere" meaning "to split open."
In the context of plants, indehiscent refers to structures that do not exhibit the natural dehiscence or opening mechanism seen in other fruits or seeds. These structures remain closed and retain their contents within until external forces, such as consumption by animals or mechanical intervention, cause them to open.
Indehiscent fruits and seeds come in various forms, such as nuts, grains, capsules, or achenes, and are characteristic of many plant families. Examples of indehiscent fruits include almonds, walnuts, grains like rice or wheat, and capsules of orchids. These fruits and seeds often have specific adaptations that aid dispersal, such as hard shells or thick coatings, which protect them from environmental factors and aid in their survival.
The term indehiscent is of particular significance in the field of taxonomy and plant identification, as the presence or absence of dehiscence can help differentiate between different species, families, or plant groups. Understanding the characteristics of indehiscent fruits and seeds can have practical applications in agriculture, horticulture, and ecological studies, where knowledge regarding dispersal mechanisms and plant propagation is essential.
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In botany, noting a fruit or seed-pod which does not split open naturally to discharge the seeds.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In bot., not opening-applied to fruits, as the apple, which do not split open.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for INDEHISCENT
- undehiscent
- jndehiscent
- kndehiscent
- ondehiscent
- 9ndehiscent
- 8ndehiscent
- ibdehiscent
- imdehiscent
- ijdehiscent
- ihdehiscent
- insehiscent
- inxehiscent
- incehiscent
- infehiscent
- inrehiscent
- ineehiscent
- indwhiscent
- indshiscent
- inddhiscent
Etymology of INDEHISCENT
The word indehiscent is derived from Latin, specifically from the combination of the prefix in meaning not or without, and the Latin word dehiscentia which means splitting open. The Latin word dehiscentia is derived from the verb dehiscere which means to split open or to gape.
Similar spelling words for INDEHISCENT
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