seed-leaf

A seed-leaf plant grows in the brackish water of a coastal wetland.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Botany: A "seed-leaf" is the first leaf or one of the first leaves to appear from a seed during germination. It is also known as a cotyledon. Seed-leaves are often simple in shape and serve to absorb nutrients from the seed or begin photosynthesis for the young plant.

Usage Examples

• (The initial leaf from the seed appeared.)
• (The count of first leaves is a key classification trait.)

Advanced Usage

• "Seed-leaf stage": The early growth phase of a plant when only the cotyledons are present, before true leaves develop.
  • During the seed-leaf stage, the plant relies heavily on stored energy from the seed. (The initial growth period.)
• "Seed-leaf scar": The mark left on a stem after a seed-leaf falls off.
  • The seed-leaf scar is visible as a small line on the stem. (A remnant of the cotyledon.)

Variants and Related Words

• Seedling (n): a young plant that has grown from a seed, especially after the seed-leaf appears.
  • The seedling needs careful watering to survive. (A young plant with seed-leaves.)
• Cotyledon (n): the scientific term for a seed-leaf.
  • The cotyledon stores food for the embryo. (The seed-leaf's technical name.)

Synonyms

• Cotyledon: the botanical term for a seed-leaf.
• Embryonic leaf: a leaf that is part of the plant embryo within the seed.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms exist for "seed-leaf," as it is a technical botanical term.