procumbent
Americanadjective
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lying on the face; prone; prostrate.
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Botany. (of a plant or stem) lying along the ground, but not putting forth roots.
adjective
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Also: prostrate. (of stems) growing along the ground
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leaning forwards or lying on the face
Etymology
Origin of procumbent
1660–70; < Latin prōcumbent- (stem of prōcumbēns ) bending forward, present participle of prōcumbere. See pro- 1, incumbent
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.
The bringing of them together by the cross resulted in a procumbent plant with long internodes.
From Mendelism Third Edition by Reginald Crundall Punnett
Stems are procumbent when growing in open places, but erect if growing amidst bushes, often branched, ending in long naked peduncles, varying in length from 1-1/2 to 4 feet.
From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by K. Rangachari
Leaves.—Mostly alternate on the flowering stems, but smaller and broader ones often opposite or whorled on the procumbent shoots; linear; smooth.
From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Mary Elizabeth Parsons
The procumbent stems will, in strong patches, be found to supply rootlets in abundance.
From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by John Wood
It is of a procumbent habit, and only 4in. to 6in. high in this climate.
From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by John Wood
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