Dorsiferous

/dɔːrˈsɪfərəs/ adjective

Definition

Bearing, carrying, or producing structures on the back or dorsal side; describing organisms or structures that have or support dorsal appendages or features.

Etymology

From 'dorsi-' (back) combined with Latin '-ferous' (bearing/carrying), a productive suffix meaning to carry or produce. Describes things that bear dorsal features.

Kelly Says

Dorsiferous ferns display their spore-producing structures on the backs of their fronds—if you flip a fern leaf and see brown bumpy bits, you're looking at these spore cases!

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