Filicales

plural noun

Fil·​i·​ca·​les
ˌfiləˈkā(ˌ)lēz
: an order of herbaceous, arborescent, or occasionally climbing plants (class Filicineae) that comprise the true ferns, that are characterized by exstipulate fronds, leptosporangiate sporangial development, and small thin-walled sporangia which are usually borne in sori on the undersides of the fronds, and that have a characteristic ring of thick-walled cells which assists in dehiscence of the spores compare fern ally, pteridophyta

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Filic-, Filix + -ales

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Cite this Entry

“Filicales.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Filicales. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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