rostellum

[ro-stel-uhm]

noun

plural

rostella 

1. Biology.,  any small, beaklike process.

2. Botany.,  a beaklike modification of the stigma in many orchids.

3. Zoology.

   1. a projecting part of the scolex in certain tapeworms.

   2. a part of the mouth in many insects, designed for sucking.

rostellum

/ rɒˈstɛləm /

noun

1. biology a small beaklike process, such as the hooked projection from the top of the head in tapeworms or the outgrowth from the stigma of an orchid

Other Word Forms

• rostellate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rostellum¹

1750–60; < New Latin; Latin: little beak, snout, diminutive of rōstrum snout ( rostrum ); for formation, castellum

Word History and Origins

Origin of rostellum¹

C18: from Latin: a little beak, from rōstrum a beak

Example Sentences

Rostellum: a small beak; applied to the mouth parts of sucking lice: also used in Hemiptera, as = rostrum; q.v.

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Anthera fere immersa, Rostellum integrum ut in omnibus glandula orbotis Pollinia 8. 

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With Spiranthes autumnalis, the pollen-masses cannot be applied to the stigma until the labellum and rostellum have moved apart, and this movement is very slow.

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By the way, Cephalanthera has single pollen-grains, but this seems to be a case of degradation, for the rostellum is utterly aborted.

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I have been much interested by what you say on the rostellum exciting pollen to protrude tubes; but are you sure that the rostellum does excite them?

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