plumule

views updated May 23 2018

plumule
1. (in zoology) A down feather.

2. (in botany) The part of a plant embryo that develops into the shoot system. It consists of the stem apex and first leaves. In seedlings showing epigeal germination the plumule grows above the soil surface together with the cotyledons; in seeds showing hypogeal germination, the plumule alone emerges. Compare radicle.

A Dictionary of Biology

plumule

views updated Jun 11 2018

plumule (bot.) rudimentary shoot, etc. XVII; (ornith.) down-feather XIX. — F. plumule or L. plūmula, dim. of plūma PLUME; see -ULE.

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

plumule

views updated May 21 2018

plumule The shoot apex, or terminal bud, of an embryo.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

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