imparipinnate

/im,pæri'pinit/

Thân thiện

A botanist points to an imparipinnate leaf in a field guide.

Definition

Adjective (Botany): 1. Having a pinnate leaf structure with an odd number of leaflets, specifically with a single terminal leaflet at the apex. This describes a compound leaf where leaflets are arranged on opposite sides of a central stem (rachis), and the leaf ends with one solitary leaflet, making the total number of leaflets odd.

Usage and Examples

• As an adjective describing a leaf:
  • The rose plant has imparipinnate leaves, typically with five to seven leaflets.
  • Botanists noted the imparipinnate structure of the ash tree leaf.
• In technical descriptions:
  • The species is characterized by imparipinnate, serrated foliage.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical keys and identification: The term is used as a key diagnostic characteristic to differentiate plant species or families. For example, "Leaves alternate, imparipinnate" helps narrow down a plant's identity.
• Contrast with 'paripinnate': A leaf that is paripinnate has an even number of leaflets, lacking a terminal leaflet, often ending in a pair.

Variants and Related Words

• Odd-pinnate: A more common, less technical synonym for imparipinnate.
• Pinnate (adj.): The broader category for leaves with leaflets arranged on either side of a rachis. Imparipinnate is a specific type of pinnate leaf.
• Leaflet (n.): Each of the individual leaflike units that make up a compound leaf.
• Rachis (n.): The central stem or axis of a compound leaf to which the leaflets are attached.

Synonyms

• Odd-pinnate

Antonyms

• Paripinnate
• Even-pinnate

Học thuật

Adjective

1. (a leaf shape) pinnate with a single leaflet at the apex

Từ đồng nghĩa

• odd-pinnate