Hexaphyllous

/ˌhɛksəˈfɪləs/ adjective

Definition

Having exactly six leaves or leaf-like parts, used in botany to describe plants with this specific characteristic.

Etymology

From Greek 'hexa-' (six) + 'phyllon' (leaf) + '-ous' (having). This botanical term parallels 'hexapetalous' but describes leaf structure instead of petals.

Kelly Says

Plants that are hexaphyllous are actually pretty rare—most plants have leaf counts in patterns of other numbers, so when botanists found ones with exactly six leaves arranged systematically, it was significant enough to name.

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