LOCULICIDAL Meaning and
Definition
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Loculicidal is an adjective used to describe a specific type of dehiscence, which is the act of opening or splitting of a structure, such as a fruit or a seed capsule, to release its contents. Specifically, loculicidal dehiscence refers to the opening or splitting of a fruit or a seed capsule along the septa, the internal walls that separate the chambers, compartments, or locules of the structure.
In loculicidal dehiscence, the septa split longitudinally, resulting in the release of the reproductive structures contained within each compartment or locule. This type of dehiscence is commonly observed in plant families such as the Solanaceae (nightshade family) and the Fabaceae (legume family), among others.
The term "loculicidal" is derived from the Latin words "loculus," which means a little place or a compartment, and "caedere," which means to cut or to split. Thus, loculicidal provides a descriptive term for the way in which a fruit or seed capsule splits along its locules or compartments upon reaching maturity.
Understanding the loculicidal dehiscence of fruits or seed capsules is significant in fields such as botany, agriculture, and horticulture, as it helps researchers and practitioners study and classify different plant species, as well as identify their reproductive characteristics and dispersal mechanisms.
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In bot., applied to fruit dehiscing through the back of the carpels.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for LOCULICIDAL
- koculicidal
- poculicidal
- ooculicidal
- liculicidal
- lkculicidal
- llculicidal
- lpculicidal
- l0culicidal
- l9culicidal
- loxulicidal
- lovulicidal
- lofulicidal
- lodulicidal
- locylicidal
- lochlicidal
- locjlicidal
- locilicidal
- loc8licidal
- loc7licidal
Etymology of LOCULICIDAL
The word "loculicidal" is derived from two Latin roots: "loculus" meaning "compartment" or "pod", and "cida" meaning "to cut" or "to open".
In botanical terms, "loculicidal" refers to the dehiscence (splitting open) of a fruit or seed capsule along the partitions or compartments (locules) within it. This type of dehiscence occurs when the fruit splits open lengthwise or along the middle of each compartment, releasing the seeds.
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