PLECOLEPIDOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Plecolepidous is an adjective that is primarily used in the fields of botany and paleobotany to describe a specific characteristic of certain types of fossil plants. It refers to the arrangement of the scales or leaf-like structures found on the stems or branches of such plants.
In plants with plecolepidous organization, the scales or leaf-like structures are arranged in an overlapping manner, similar to the shingles on a roof. This organization is typically observed in various species of extinct plants that belong to the Lepidodendrales order, a group of primitive gymnosperms. The plecolepidous arrangement is also found in some contemporary plants, such as the clubmosses, which are considered living fossils representing ancient lineages.
The term "plecolepidous" is derived from two Greek words: "plekon," meaning "fold" or "twist," and "lepis," meaning "scale." This reflects the way the scales or leaf-like structures are closely packed, often folded or twisted, and interconnected to protect the stem or branch.
The presence of plecolepidous scales on fossil plants provides valuable information for paleontologists in identifying and classifying species. In addition, it is often used as evidence to understand the evolutionary relationships between different plant groups and their adaptations to various environmental conditions. Overall, plecolepidous is a descriptive term that characterizes the specific arrangement of scales or leaf-like structures in certain fossil plants, aiding in their scientific study and interpretation.
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In bot., having the bracts that form the involucrum of the natural order compositae adhering together.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PLECOLEPIDOUS
- olecolepidous
- llecolepidous
- -lecolepidous
- 0lecolepidous
- pkecolepidous
- ppecolepidous
- poecolepidous
- plwcolepidous
- plscolepidous
- pldcolepidous
- plrcolepidous
- pl4colepidous
- pl3colepidous
- plexolepidous
- plevolepidous
- plefolepidous
- pledolepidous
- plecilepidous
- plecklepidous
- plecllepidous
Etymology of PLECOLEPIDOUS
The word "plecolepidous" appears to be a technical term, primarily used in the field of biology, specifically in botany. Unfortunately, I could not find any specific sources that provide the etymology of this word. It seems to be a compound word consisting of two parts: "pleco-" and "-lepidous".
Based on the parts, we can speculate the possible origins:
1. "Pleco-" may be derived from the Greek word "pleko" (πλέκω) meaning "to braid" or "to interweave". This could be related to the intricate or complex nature of the plant structures described by the word.
2. "-lepidous" may come from the Greek word "lepis" (λεπίς) meaning "scale".
