epinasty

American  

[ep-uh-nas-tee] / ˈɛp əˌnæs ti /

noun

Botany.

1. (especially of leaves) increased growth on the upper surface of an organ or part, causing it to bend downward.

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epinasty British  

/ ˈɛpɪˌnæstɪ /

noun

1. increased growth of the upper surface of a plant part, such as a leaf, resulting in a downward bending of the part Compare hyponasty

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Other Word Forms

• epinastic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of epinasty

1875–80; epi- + Greek nast ( ós ) pressed close + -y ³

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

epinasty

A young cotyledon or leaf after bursting free is brought down into its proper position, as already remarked, by epinasty, which, according to De Vries, long continues to act on the midribs and petioles.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Charles Darwin

On the other hand, from observing the effects of tying a shoot downwards, so that the rectangle faced upwards, we are led to believe that the curvature is partly due to epinasty.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Charles Darwin

This movement is due to epinasty, as is likewise the case with the flowers of T. repens.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Charles Darwin

Therefore this case seems very different from that of ordinary sleep, and probably comes under the head of epinasty, as is the case with the leaves of this plant according to Kraus.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Charles Darwin

As this latter movement occurred in complete darkness, and with peduncles arising from upright and from dependent branches, it cannot be due to apheliotropism or to epinasty, but must be attributed to geotropism.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Charles Darwin

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