distichous

American  

[dis-ti-kuhs] / ˈdɪs tɪ kəs /

adjective

1. Botany. arranged alternately in two vertical rows on opposite sides of an axis, as leaves.

2. Zoology. divided into two parts.

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distichous British  

/ ˈdɪstɪkəs /

adjective

1. (of leaves) arranged in two vertical rows on opposite sides of the stem

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Other Word Forms

• distichously adverb
• subdistichous adjective
• subdistichously adverb

Etymology

Origin of distichous

1745–55; < Latin distichus (< Greek dístichos (adj.); see distich), with -ous for Latin -us adj. suffix

Example Sentences

But on the stem the cells are distichous and wide apart.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by MacGillivray, John

Leaf-sheaths are compressed and distichous below, glabrous or sometimes with a few hairs close to the margin.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

The leaf-sheaths are equal to or longer than the internodes at the base, but shorter above, glabrous, compressed, distichous, bearded towards the mouth and with membranous margins.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

Cotyledons 2 or 3.—Strong-scented evergreen trees, with very small and scale-like or some awl-shaped closely appressed-imbricated leaves, distichous branchlets, and exceedingly durable wood.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa

The leaf-sheaths are distichous and towards the base of the stem are 1/2 inch broad, compressed, keeled and with scattered tubercle-based hairs.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.