ligule

[ lig-yool ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a thin, membranous outgrowth from the base of the blade of most grasses.
2. a strap-shaped corolla, as in the ray flowers of the head of certain composite plants.

ligule

/ ˈlɪɡjuːl /

noun

1. a membranous outgrowth at the junction between the leaf blade and sheath in many grasses and sedges
2. a strap-shaped corolla, such as that of a ray floret in the daisy

ligule

/ lĭg′yo̅o̅l /

1. A straplike structure, such as the long flattened lobe of the corolla of a ray flower or a membranous or hairy appendage between the sheath and blade of a grass leaf.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligule¹

1595–1605; < Latin ligula; ligula

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligule¹

C19: via French, from Latin ligula strap, variant of lingula, from lingua tongue

Example Sentences

Leaves linear, frequently involute, and the ligule or throat of the sheath bearded with long villous hairs.

From Project Gutenberg

Of this nature are the scales on the petals in Lychnis, Silene and Cynoglossum, which are formed in the same way as the ligules of grasses.

From Project Gutenberg

The ligule is short, truncate, hyaline and ciliate.

From Project Gutenberg

The variety multiflorus has several forms; the commonest form is double, the disk being filled with ligules much shorter than those of the ray flowers, after the form of many daisy-like composites.

From Project Gutenberg

It has ray-florets, the ligules of which have their margins grown together so as to form tubes, with the outer surface corresponding to the pale under-surface of the corolla.

From Project Gutenberg