Acotyledonous

/ˌeɪkɒtɪˈlɛdɪnəs/ adjective

Definition

Lacking cotyledons or true seed-leaves; characteristic of plants that reproduce by spores rather than seeds.

Etymology

From acotyledon plus the suffix -ous. A descriptive botanical term from 18th-century plant classification systems.

Kelly Says

Acotyledonous plants were called 'cryptogams' (hidden marriages) by old botanists because nobody could see how they reproduced—the 'secret' turned out to be spores, which are smaller than dust.

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