Ascidium

/æsˈsɪdiəm/ noun

Definition

A sac-shaped or pouch-like structure, used in zoology to describe the body form of sea squirts and in botany for pitcher-plant leaves.

Etymology

From Latin 'ascidium' (small bag or bladder), derived from Greek 'askos' (wineskin), named for the container-like appearance.

Kelly Says

The word 'ascidium' connects sea squirts and carnivorous plants—two wildly different organisms that evolved the same brilliant solution (a sac-shaped trap) thousands of times across the tree of life!

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