protostele

[ proh-tuh-steel, -stee-lee ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the solid stele of most roots, having a central core of xylem enclosed by phloem.

protostele

/ ˈprəʊtəˌstiːl; -ˌstiːlɪ /

noun

1. a simple type of stele with a central core of xylem surrounded by a cylinder of phloem: occurs in most roots and the stems of ferns, etc

protostele

/ prō′tə-stēl′,prō′tə-stē′lē /

1. The most primitive form of stele, consisting of a solid core of xylem encased by phloem or of xylem interspersed with phloem. The roots of all vascular plants, as well as the stems of lycophytes, have protosteles.

Derived Forms

• ˌprotoˈstelic, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·to·ste·lic [proh-t, uh, -, stee, -lik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of protostele¹

First recorded in 1900–05; proto- + stele

Example Sentences

In its simplest form (as in fig. 36) it is called a protostele, and is to be found in both living and fossil plants.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Coal Measure period, however, the protostele was characteristic of one of the two main groups of ferns.

From Project Gutenberg