elater

views updated Jun 08 2018

elater In most liverworts (Hepaticae), 1 of many long, thin cells mixed with the spores in the capsule of the sporophyte that assist in spore dispersal. Helical thickening in the wall of an elater causes increasing tension as the capsule dries. When the capsule bursts the tension is released and the spores are forcibly ejected.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

elater

views updated May 21 2018

elater †elasticity XVII; skipjack beetle; (bot.) elastic spiral filament XIX. modL. — Gr. elatḗr driver. f. *elaF-, elaúnein drive.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

elater

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic