lenticel

[ len-tuh-sel ]

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.

lenticel

/ 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

lenticel

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• lenticellate, adjective

Other Words From

• len·ti·cel·late [len-t, uh, -, sel, -it], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenticel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenticel¹

C19: from New Latin lenticella, from Latin lenticula diminutive of lēns lentil

Example Sentences

Speckling these roots are thousands of specialized pores, or lenticels.

From Science News

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

From Project Gutenberg