accrescent
Definition
Adjective (Botany): 1. Growing larger after flowering: "accrescent" describes a plant part, typically the calyx, that continues to enlarge after the flower has bloomed, often persisting around the fruit. - Example: The calyx of the Physalis plant is accrescent, forming a papery husk around the berry.
Usage Examples
- (The sepals enlarge after flowering.)
- (They examine parts that grow post-bloom.)
Advanced Usage
"Accrescent calyx": a botanical term for a calyx that grows larger as the fruit matures.
- In the genus Hibiscus, the accrescent calyx becomes fleshy and colourful. (The calyx enlarges and changes texture.)
"Accrescent bracts": bracts that enlarge after flowering, often protecting the developing fruit.
- The accrescent bracts of the pineapple help shield the fruit. (They grow larger post-bloom.)
Variants and Related Words
- Accrescence (noun): the process or state of being accrescent.
- The accrescence of the calyx is a notable feature in some plant families. (The growth process after flowering.)
- Accrescently (adverb): in an accrescent manner.
- The sepals grow accrescently around the fruit. (They enlarge persistently.)
Synonyms
- Enlarging: becoming larger (general term).
- Persistent: remaining attached after flowering (but not necessarily enlarging).
- Post-floral growth: growth occurring after the flower has opened.
Related Idioms
- "Accrescent like a husk": a descriptive phrase for something that grows and encloses.
- The bracts were accrescent like a husk, protecting the seed. (They enlarged to form a covering.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Grow into: to develop into a larger structure (used contextually).
- The calyx grows into an accrescent form after the petals fall. (It enlarges into that shape.)
Note
This term is highly technical and primarily used in botanical contexts. It is not found in everyday language.