subsessile
Definition
- Adjective:
- Almost without a stalk: "subsessile" describes a plant part, such as a leaf or flower, that has a very short or nearly absent stem (pedicel or petiole), making it appear almost directly attached to the main stem.
Usage Examples
- (The leaves have extremely short stalks.)
- (The flower had a minimal or no pedicel.)
Advanced Usage
"Subsessile stigma": a botanical term for a stigma that is attached with a very short style.
- The subsessile stigma of this orchid is nearly flush with the ovary. (The stigma has an extremely short supporting structure.)
"Subsessile capitulum": in composite flowers, a flower head that appears to sit directly on the stem.
- The subsessile capitulum of the dandelion is common in many Asteraceae species. (The flower head has a very short stalk.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sessile (adj): attached directly by the base; without a stalk.
- A sessile leaf has no petiole at all. (Completely without a stem.)
- Sub- (prefix): indicating a lesser degree or nearly, as in "subsessile" meaning almost sessile.
Synonyms
- Nearly stalkless: almost without a stem.
- Almost sessile: very close to being completely attached without a stalk.
Phrasal Verbs
Related Idioms