In botany, lacking papillae (small nipple-like projections on plant surfaces).
From epi- (upon) + papilla (nipple-like projection) + -ate (having the quality of), with e- negation. Describes the absence of small surface structures.
Plant surfaces are way more detailed than they look—some are bumpy with papillae, others smooth and epapillate. These tiny texture differences affect how plants absorb water and how insects grip them, which is wildly important for survival.
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