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fruticose

American  
[froo-ti-kohs] / ˈfru tɪˌkoʊs /

adjective

  1. having the form of a shrub; shrublike.

  2. Botany, Mycology.  having branched stalks, as certain lichens.


Etymology

Origin of fruticose

1660–70; < Latin fruticōsus full of shrubs, bushy, equivalent to frutic- (stem of frutex ) shrub + -ōsus -ose 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fruticose lichens have thalli that are branch-, cup- or club-like, imparting the look of tiny shrubs.

From Seattle Times

Fruticose or Shrubby, woody, living from year to year, and of considerable size,—not, however, more than three or four times the height of a man.

From Project Gutenberg

The most curious tree is one which with the true appearance of an Elæagnus, seems to be a Loranthus, the first arborescent species yet found, although, as one or two other exceptions occur to parasitism, there is no reason why there should not be a terrestrial arborescent species, as well as a fruticose one. 

From Project Gutenberg

Of the genus Urtica, whose numerous species can simply be considered as of herbaceous duration, although a few of tropical existence assume a fruticose habit, there is one plant in the vicinity of the Colony of Port Jackson, remarkable for its gigantic, arborescent growth; many specimens having been remarked from fifteen to twenty feet in height, of proportional robust habit, and of highly stimulating nature.

From Project Gutenberg