cataphyll

noun

cata·​phyll

ˈkatəˌfil

plural -s

: a rudimentary scalelike leaf (as a bud scale) that precedes the foliage leaves of a plant compare hypsophyll

cataphyllary

¦⸗⸗¦filərē

adjective

Word History

Etymology

cata- + -phyll; intended as translation of German niederblatt, literally, lower leaf

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