marcescent

[ mahr-ses-uhnt ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. withering but not falling off, as a part of a plant.

marcescent

/ mɑːˈsɛsənt /

adjective

1. (of the parts of certain plants) remaining attached to the plant when withered

marcescent

/ mär-sĕs′ənt /

1. Withering but not falling off, as a blossom that persists on a twig after flowering. Many oaks have marcescent foliage that stays on the tree through winter.

Derived Forms

• marˈcescence, noun

Other Words From

• mar·cescence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcescent¹

1720–30; < Latin marcēscent-, stem of marcēscēns (present participle of marcēscere to wither, shrivel), equivalent to marc ( ēre ) to wither + -ēscent- -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcescent¹

C18: from Latin marcescere to grow weak, from marcēre to wither

Example Sentences

A bonus design tip for gardeners: A row of marcescent trees, although not technically evergreen, makes for an effective, nearly year-round screen.

From Seattle Times

A corolla which is continuous with the axis and not articulated to it, as in campanula and heaths, may be persistent, and remain in a withered or marcescent state while the fruit is ripening.

From Project Gutenberg