lenticel

American  

[len-tuh-sel] / ˈlɛn təˌsɛl /

noun

Botany.

1. a body of cells formed on the periderm of a stem, appearing on the surface of the plant as a lens-shaped spot, and serving as a pore.

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lenticel British  

/ ˌlɛntɪˈsɛlɪt, ˈlɛntɪˌsɛl /

noun

1. any of numerous pores in the stem of a woody plant allowing exchange of gases between the plant and the exterior

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lenticel Scientific  

/ lĕn′tĭ-sĕl′ /

1. One of the small areas on the surface of a plant stem, trunk, or fruit that allow the interchange of gases between the metabolically active interior tissue and the surrounding air or pockets of air in the soil. Lenticels are portions of the periderm that have numerous pores or intercellular spaces. They appear as raised circular or elongated areas. The dark lines in birch bark and the tiny dots sometimes seen on skin of apples and pears are lenticels.

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Other Word Forms

• lenticellate adjective

Etymology

Origin of lenticel

1850–55; < New Latin lenticella, diminutive of Latin lenticula lentil; see lenticle

Example Sentences

It was a lenticel, a characteristic preparation from the elder-tree.

From The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

Lentic′ula, a small lens: a lenticel: a freckle—also Len′ticule.—adv.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Hill watched the clock hands until two minutes remained; then he opened the book of answers, and, with hot ears and an affectation of ease, gave his drawing of the lenticel its name.

From The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)