fruticose

[ froo-ti-kohs ]

adjective

1. having the form of a shrub; shrublike.
2. Botany, Mycology. having branched stalks, as certain lichens. Compare crustose, foliose.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fruticose¹

1660–70; < Latin fruticōsus full of shrubs, bushy, equivalent to frutic- (stem of frutex ) shrub + -ōsus -ose ¹

Example Sentences

Fruticose lichens have thalli that are branch-, cup- or club-like, imparting the look of tiny shrubs.

From Seattle Times

Fruticose or Shrubby, woody, living from year to year, and of considerable size,—not, however, more than three or four times the height of a man.

From Project Gutenberg

The most curious tree is one which with the true appearance of an Elæagnus, seems to be a Loranthus, the first arborescent species yet found, although, as one or two other exceptions occur to parasitism, there is no reason why there should not be a terrestrial arborescent species, as well as a fruticose one. 

From Project Gutenberg

Of the genus Urtica, whose numerous species can simply be considered as of herbaceous duration, although a few of tropical existence assume a fruticose habit, there is one plant in the vicinity of the Colony of Port Jackson, remarkable for its gigantic, arborescent growth; many specimens having been remarked from fifteen to twenty feet in height, of proportional robust habit, and of highly stimulating nature.

From Project Gutenberg