a bud or bulb-like structure in plants that develops into a new individual, or a jewel (archaic).
From Latin 'gemma' meaning jewel or precious stone. The botanical term borrowed the word because these buds seemed precious and valuable as new organisms. Also a common given name.
The word 'gemma' literally means 'jewel' in Latin, and botanists borrowed it to describe plant buds because they saw them as tiny precious 'jewels' that would grow into new plants!
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