circumscissile

American  

[sur-kuhm-sis-il] / ˌsɜr kəmˈsɪs ɪl /

adjective

Botany.

1. opening along a transverse circular line, as a seed vessel.

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circumscissile British  

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈsɪsaɪl /

adjective

1. (of the dry dehiscent fruits of certain plants) opening completely by a transverse split

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Etymology

Origin of circumscissile

First recorded in 1825–35; circum- + scissile

Example Sentences

Capsule membranaceous, circumscissile, the top falling off like a lid, many-seeded.—Low, spreading or procumbent herbs, mostly annuals, with opposite or whorled entire leaves, and solitary flowers on axillary peduncles.

From Project Gutenberg

Smooth or rather hairy, rarely roughish; leaves ovate, oblong, oval, or slightly heart-shaped, often toothed, abruptly narrowed into a channelled petiole; spike dense, obtuse; sepals round-ovate or obovate; capsule ovoid, circumscissile near the middle, 8–18-seeded; seeds angled, reticulated.—Waysides and near dwellings everywhere.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaves as in the last, but paler and thinner; spikes long and thin, attenuate at the apex; sepals oblong, acutely carinate; capsules cylindraceous-oblong, circumscissile much below the middle, 4–9-seeded; seeds oval-oblong, not reticulated.

From Project Gutenberg

Utricle thin, circumscissile, the top falling away as a lid; flowers polygamous.

From Project Gutenberg

Utricle thinnish, bursting or imperfectly circumscissile; flowers monœcious.

From Project Gutenberg