noun
- a protective sheath surrounding the radicle (embryonic root) in grass seeds and other monocotyledons
Usage: botanical
Examples
- The coleorhiza protects the developing root as it emerges from the seed.
- In corn germination, the coleorhiza is the first structure to break through the seed coat.
- Botanists study the coleorhiza to understand early root development in grasses.
- The coleorhiza eventually ruptures to allow the primary root to emerge.
- Wheat seeds have a well-developed coleorhiza that aids in germination.