nyctitropic

American  

[nik-ti-trop-ik, -troh-pik] / ˌnɪk tɪˈtrɒp ɪk, -ˈtroʊ pɪk /

adjective

Botany.

1. tending to assume at or just before nightfall positions unlike those maintained during the day, as the leaves or flowers of certain plants.

---

Other Word Forms

• nyctitropism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nyctitropic

First recorded in 1875–80; nycti- + -tropic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nyctitropic

In the next chapter it will be shown that the nyctitropic movements both of cotyledons and leaves consist of a modified form of circumnutation.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles

In order to observe the nyctitropic movements of this plant, it is necessary that it should have grown in a warm greenhouse, for out of doors in our climate it does not sleep.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles

Nevertheless, in the present species the nyctitropic movements are perfectly performed.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles

We have seen several analogous cases with the nyctitropic movements of leaves.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles

The so-called sleep or nyctitropic movements of leaves are determined by the daily alternations of light and darkness.

From The Power of Movement in Plants by Darwin, Charles