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

As already hinted, the habit is procumbent, the older flower stems being woody; not only is it a bright object for rockwork, but it is in its finest form when most other flowers are past.

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

Sanvitalia procumbens flore-pleno: half-hardy, 6 in., golden yellow; procumbent.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various

Incisors not rooted but continuously growing; those of the upper jaw curved and directed downwards; those of the lower straight and procumbent.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

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)

Its stems are 12in. or less in length, slender and procumbent.

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