dehisce

American  

[dih-his] / dɪˈhɪs /

verb (used without object)

dehisced, dehiscing

1. to burst open, as capsules of plants; gape.

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dehisce British  

/ dɪˈhɪs /

verb

1. (intr) (of fruits, anthers, etc) to burst open spontaneously, releasing seeds, pollen, etc

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Etymology

Origin of dehisce

1650–60; < Latin dēhiscere to gape, part, equivalent to dē- de- + hiscere to gape, yawn ( hi ( āre ) to yawn + -scere inchoative suffix)

Example Sentences

The stamens are very numerous, and are spirally arranged; and the carpels are variable in number, sessile or stipitate and slightly united at the base and dehisce by ventral suture.

From Project Gutenberg

Fruit dehiscing irregularly, the pericarp thin, loose and usually roughened; not salt-marsh plants.

From Project Gutenberg

It has been noted with respect to the nectar of the fuchsia that it is most abundant when the anthers are about to dehisce, and absent in the unexpanded flower.

From Project Gutenberg

Follicle, a pod formed from a single pistil, dehiscing along the ventral suture only.

From Project Gutenberg

Occasionally, follicles dehisce by the dorsal suture, as in Magnolia grandiflora and Banksia.

From Project Gutenberg