The scar or attachment point on a seed where it was connected to the funiculus (seed stalk) within the fruit. The hilum often appears as a distinct mark or depression on the seed surface and may serve as a point for water absorption during germination.
From Latin 'hilum' meaning 'a small thing' or 'trifle,' originally referring to the small black spot on a bean. The term was adopted into botanical terminology to describe this specific anatomical feature of seeds across all plant species.
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