epicotyl

American  

[ep-i-kot-l, ep-i-kot-l] / ˌɛp ɪˈkɒt l, ˈɛp ɪˌkɒt l /

noun

Botany.

1. (in the embryo of a plant) that part of the stem above the cotyledons.

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epicotyl British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈkɒtɪl /

noun

1. the part of an embryo plant stem above the cotyledons but beneath the terminal bud

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epicotyl Scientific  

/ ĕp′ĭ-kŏt′l /

1. The stem of a seedling or embryo located between the cotyledons and the first true leaves.

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Etymology

Origin of epicotyl

1875–80; epi- + Greek kotýlē cup

Example Sentences

This is the epicotyl, and another growing tip pointed toward the lower end of the kernel; this is the hypocotyl or the part which penetrates the soil and forms roots.

From The First Book of Farming by Goodrich, Charles Landon

Tropaeolum majus: heliotropic movement and circumnutation of the epicotyl of a young seedling towards a dull lateral light, traced on a horizontal glass from 7.48 A.M. to 10.40 P.M.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles

If the bean had been properly planted, this part of the epicotyl would still have been beneath the soil.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles

The pea cotyledons were left down in the soil, the epicotyl alone pushing up to the surface.

From The First Book of Farming by Goodrich, Charles Landon

In some other cases the hypocotyl or epicotyl protrudes from the seed at first only slightly bowed; but the bowing afterwards increases independently of any constraint.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles