distichous

American  

[dis-ti-kuhs] / ˈdɪs tɪ kəs /

adjective

1. Botany. arranged alternately in two vertical rows on opposite sides of an axis, as leaves.

2. Zoology. divided into two parts.

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distichous British  

/ ˈdɪstɪkəs /

adjective

1. (of leaves) arranged in two vertical rows on opposite sides of the stem

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Other Word Forms

• distichously
  adverb
• subdistichous
  adjective
• subdistichously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of distichous

1745–55; < Latin distichus (< Greek dístichos (adj.); see distich), with -ous for Latin -us adj. suffix

Example Sentences

The cells are distichous, and of a very peculiar form, but varying in some degree according to their situation.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by MacGillivray, John

Spikelets are very minute, one-flowered, half immersed in the alternating distichous cavities of the rachis of the spike; rachilla is bearded.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

But on the stem the cells are distichous and wide apart.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by MacGillivray, John

The spikelets are very small, one-flowered, half immersed in the alternating distichous cavities of the rachis.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

The leaf-sheaths are equal to or longer than the internodes at the base, but shorter above, glabrous, compressed, distichous, bearded towards the mouth and with membranous margins.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.