virescence

American  

[vahy-res-uhns, vi-] / vaɪˈrɛs əns, vɪ- /

noun

Botany.

1. state of becoming somewhat, though usually not totally, green, due to the abnormal presence of chlorophyll.

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virescence British  

/ vɪˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. (in plants) the process of becoming green, esp by the action of disease, etc, in parts not normally green

2. the condition of being or the process of becoming green

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Etymology

Origin of virescence

First recorded in 1885–90; viresc(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

In Ranunculaceæ virescence has been observed in Delphinium elatum, crassicaule and Ajacis, Anemone hortensis and nemorosa, Aquilegia vulgaris, Ranunculus Philonotis.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.

Some of the above are probably cases of mere virescence rather than of phyllody.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.

"We—" A sudden belch of flame, outside, split the night with terrible virescence.

From The Air Trust by England, George Allan

Assuming that the distinguishing marks have only become inactive by virescence, it is manifest that on returning each will show its own peculiarities, as recorded above.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de

Many of the cases recorded as reversions of the parts of the flower to leaves are simply instances of virescence; indeed, it is not in all cases easy to distinguish between the two states.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.