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aril
aril A usually fleshy and often brightly coloured outgrowth from the funicle or hilum of a seed, a third integument. Arils probably often aid seed dispersal, by drawing attention to the seed after the fruit has dehisced, and by providing food as an attractant and reward to the disperser. The aril of the nutmeg (see MYRISTICA) produces the spice mace, and the seed itself is the nutmeg.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "aril." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "aril." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-aril.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "aril." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-aril.html |
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aril
aril An outgrowth that grows around and may completely enclose the testa (seed coat) of a seed. It develops from the placenta, funicle, or micropyle of an ovule. The aril surrounding the nutmeg seed forms the spice mace. See also caruncle.
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Cite this article
"aril." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "aril." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-aril.html "aril." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-aril.html |
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aril
ar·il / ˈarəl/ • n. Bot. an extra seed-covering, typically hairy or fleshy, e.g., the red fleshy cup around a yew seed. DERIVATIVES: ar·il·late / -lit; -ˌlāt/ adj. |
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Cite this article
"aril." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "aril." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-aril.html "aril." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-aril.html |
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