hypocotyl

[ hahy-puh-kot-l ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the part of a plant embryo directly below the cotyledons, forming a connection with the radicle.

hypocotyl

/ ˌhaɪpəˈkɒtɪl /

noun

1. the part of an embryo plant between the cotyledons and the radicle

hypocotyl

/ hī′pə-kŏt′l /

1. The part of a plant embryo or seedling that lies between the radicle and the cotyledons. Upon germination, the hypocotyl pushes the cotyledons above the ground to develop. It eventually becomes part of the plant stem. Most seed-bearing plants have hypocotyls, but the grasses have different, specialized structures.

Derived Forms

• ˌhypoˈcotylous, adjective

Other Words From

• hypo·coty·lous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocotyl¹

First recorded in 1875–80; hypo- + cotyl(edon)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocotyl¹

C19: from hypo- + cotyl ( edon )

Example Sentences

Published in Current Biology, "Light-sensitive short hypocotyl genes confer symbiotic nodule identity in the legume Medicago truncatula," was a collaboration between scientists working at SLCU, the Crop Science Centre, John Innes Centre, University of Freiburg, Oklahoma State University and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

From Science Daily

Botanists have discovered that money is not only the root of all evil, but also its hypocotyl, petiole and axillary bud.

From Washington Post

However, at 27 °C, this growth repression is relieved2, and plants show accelerated flowering and rapid hypocotyl elongation compared with growth at 22 °C. Yet the mechanism underlying such temperature-regulated growth has remained a mystery.

From Nature

The embryo of Gnetum forms an out-growth from the hypocotyl, which serves as a feeder and draws nourishment from the prothallus.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Steinberg and her colleagues used supplements manufactured by Frutarom Netherlands BV and made from the hypocotyl portion of the soy bean.

From Reuters