procumbent

American  

[proh-kuhm-buhnt] / proʊˈkʌm bənt /

adjective

1. lying on the face; prone; prostrate.

2. Botany. (of a plant or stem) lying along the ground, but not putting forth roots.

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procumbent British  

/ prəʊˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

1. Also: prostrate.  (of stems) growing along the ground

2. leaning forwards or lying on the face

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Etymology

Origin of procumbent

1660–70; < Latin prōcumbent- (stem of prōcumbēns ) bending forward, present participle of prōcumbere. See pro- ¹, incumbent

Example Sentences

Of these characters length of internode was carried by the Bush, and the procumbent habit by the original Cupid parent.

From Mendelism Third Edition by Punnett, Reginald Crundall

In reality it is of procumbent habit, with divergent stems like the ordinary Cupid, a fact which can easily be observed by anyone who will watch them grow without the artificial aid of prepared supports.

From Mendelism Third Edition by Punnett, Reginald Crundall

On the steep bluffs along the river was often a heavy growth of red cedar; and some large areas of procumbent juniper occurred.

From The Mammals of Washtenaw County, Michigan Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology, No. 123 by Wood, Norman

The most striking characteristics of the Prostrate Gromwell are its fine dark blue flowers and procumbent habit.

From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by Wood, John

Description.—The procumbent, branched, slender, woody stems, which seldom reach 12 inches, bear oblong, triangular, tapering leaves from ¼ to ½ inch long, green above and gray beneath.

From Culinary Herbs: Their Cultivation Harvesting Curing and Uses by Kains, M. G. (Maurice Grenville)