MICROPHYLLOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Microphyllous is an adjective used in botany to describe the characteristic of having small or minute leaves. The term is derived from the combination of the Greek words "micro" meaning small and "phyllon" meaning leaf. This botanical term is primarily used to classify plants based on their leaf size.
Plants that exhibit microphyllous features typically possess leaves that are exceptionally tiny, often less than 1 cm in length. These leaves are generally simple in structure, lacking any division into distinct leaflets or lobes. They may appear needle-like, scale-like, or even flat but extremely reduced compared to typical leaf sizes seen in other plant species.
The microphyllous adaptation is commonly found in various plant groups, especially those that have evolved in environments with limited space, such as in rock crevices, alpine regions, or aquatic habitats. By reducing leaf size, plants can minimize water loss, optimize photosynthesis in limited light conditions, and enhance resistance to harsh environmental conditions.
In the field of taxonomy, the term microphyllous is used to classify plant species based on specific leaf characteristics. It helps botanists differentiate between species with similar morphological features but varying leaf sizes. Detecting microphyllous traits is often accomplished through careful examination of an organism's foliar structure and comparing it to known features of other microphyllous plants.
Common Misspellings for MICROPHYLLOUS
- macrophyyllous
- nicrophyllous
- kicrophyllous
- jicrophyllous
- mucrophyllous
- mjcrophyllous
- mkcrophyllous
- mocrophyllous
- m9crophyllous
- m8crophyllous
- mixrophyllous
- mivrophyllous
- mifrophyllous
- midrophyllous
- miceophyllous
- micdophyllous
- micfophyllous
- mictophyllous
- mic5ophyllous
- mic4ophyllous
Etymology of MICROPHYLLOUS
The word "microphyllous" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "mikros", meaning "small", and "phyllon", meaning "leaf". In botanical terms, "microphyllous" refers to plants that have small or reduced leaves.
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