velamen

[ vuh-ley-min ]

noun

, plural ve·lam·i·na [v, uh, -, lam, -, uh, -n, uh].

1. Anatomy. a membranous covering; velum.
2. Botany. the thick, spongy integument or epidermis covering the aerial roots of epiphytic orchids.

velamen

/ vəˈleɪmɛn /

noun

1. the thick layer of dead cells that covers the aerial roots of certain orchids and aroids and absorbs moisture from the surroundings
2. anatomy another word for velum

Word History and Origins

Origin of velamen¹

1880–85; < Latin vēlāmen, equivalent to vēlā ( re ) to cover + -men noun suffix of result

Word History and Origins

Origin of velamen¹

C19: from Latin: a veil, from vēlāre to cover