gemma

views updated Jun 11 2018

gemma
1. (mycol.) A thick-walled, asexually derived spore formed from a portion of a vegetative hypha.

2. (bryol.) A structure formed by certain mosses and liverworts, which functions in vegetative reproduction. Gemmae may consist of 1, 2, or many cells. See also MARCHANTIA; LUNULARIA; and TETRAPHIDALES.

3. A vegetative propagule that is a modified organ of the parent plant (e.g. the small lateral bulbils of Agave americana, the century plant).

gemma

views updated May 29 2018

gem·ma / ˈjemə/ • n. (pl. gem·mae / ˈjemē/ ) Biol. a small cellular body or bud that can separate to form a new organism. ∎ another term for chlamydospore.

gemma

views updated May 29 2018

gemma In botany and zoology, a bud that will give rise to a new individual. The term also refers to a multicellular reproductive structure found in algae, liver worts and mosses.

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