lenticel

[ len-tuh-sel ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a body of cells formed on the periderm of a stem, appearing on the surface of the plant as a lens-shaped spot, and serving as a pore.

lenticel

/ ˌlɛntɪˈsɛlɪt; ˈlɛntɪˌsɛl /

noun

1. any of numerous pores in the stem of a woody plant allowing exchange of gases between the plant and the exterior

lenticel

/ lĕn′tĭ-sĕl′ /

1. One of the small areas on the surface of a plant stem, trunk, or fruit that allow the interchange of gases between the metabolically active interior tissue and the surrounding air or pockets of air in the soil. Lenticels are portions of the periderm that have numerous pores or intercellular spaces. They appear as raised circular or elongated areas. The dark lines in birch bark and the tiny dots sometimes seen on skin of apples and pears are lenticels.

Derived Forms

• lenticellate, adjective

Other Words From

• len·ti·cel·late [len-t, uh, -, sel, -it], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenticel¹

1850–55; < New Latin lenticella, diminutive of Latin lenticula lentil; lenticle

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenticel¹

C19: from New Latin lenticella, from Latin lenticula diminutive of lēns lentil

Example Sentences

The university offers tips on how to distinguish cherry trees from plum trees: Cherry trees — unlike plum trees — have distinct horizontal-line patterns on their bark called lenticels.

From Seattle Times

The university has also offered tips on how to distinguish cherry trees from plum trees: Cherry trees — unlike plum trees — have distinct horizontal-line patterns on their bark called lenticels.

From Seattle Times

“First of all, it’s the big spit. And second, for your info, it’s called ‘birching,’ and they’re lenticels.”

From Literature

These are lenticels, or breathing pores—not holes, likely to become clogged with dust, but porous, corky tissue that filters the air as it comes in.

From Project Gutenberg

These lenticels are to be found on all trees, even where the bark is very thick, as old oaks and chestnuts, but in these the lenticels are in the bottoms of the deep cracks.

From Project Gutenberg