heterophyllous

[ het-er-uh-fil-uhs ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. having different kinds of leaves on the same plant.

heterophyllous

/ ˌhɛtəˈrɒfɪləs; ˌhɛtərəʊˈfɪləs /

adjective

1. (of plants such as arrowhead) having more than one type of leaf on the same plant Alsoanisophyllous

Derived Forms

• ˈheteroˌphylly, noun

Other Words From

• heter·o·phylly noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterophyllous¹

First recorded in 1820–30; hetero- + -phyllous

Example Sentences

Heterophyllous, with two sorts of leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

Descriptive botanists recognise this occurrence in the case of leaves, and apply the epithet heterophyllous to plants possessed of these variable foliar characters.

From Project Gutenberg

There is another variety which bears on the same tree differently shaped leaves, like the heterophyllous hornbeam; this tree is also remarkable from having pendulous branches, and bearing elongated, large, thin-shelled nuts.

From Project Gutenberg

Such cases differ but little from the so- called heterophyllus varieties, in which the tree habitually bears leaves of various forms; but it is probable that most heterophyllous trees have originated as seedlings.

From Project Gutenberg