nucellus

American  

[noo-sel-uhs, nyoo-] / nuˈsɛl əs, nyu- /

noun

Botany.

plural

nucelli

1. the central cellular mass of the body of the ovule, containing the embryo sac.

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nucellus British  

/ njuːˈsɛləs /

noun

1. the central part of a plant ovule containing the embryo sac

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nucellus Scientific  

/ no̅o̅-sĕl′əs /

plural

nucelli

1. The megasporangium of a seed-bearing plant, located in the ovule. In angiosperms, it is the central portion of the ovule in which the embryo sac develops. In some cases of apomixis (production of seeds without fertilization), cells of the nucellus develop into an embryo.

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Other Word Forms

• nucellar
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nucellus

1880–85; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin nuc- (stem of nux ) nut + -ella -elle

Example Sentences

The connexion between the base of the ovule and the base of the nucellus is kept up by means of the raphe r.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various

The embryo-sac enlarges greatly, displacing gradually the surrounding nucellus, which eventually forms merely a thin layer around the sac, or completely disappears.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

An ovule consists of a conical nucellus surrounded by a single integument.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various

In a species of Allium, embryos have been found developing in the same individual from the egg-cell, synergids, antipodal cells and cells of the nucellus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various

The remainder of the nucellus and the integuments of the ovules form the seed-coats.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various