noun
- The part of a plant embryo or seedling that lies above the cotyledons and below the first true leaves; the upper stem of a germinating seed.
Usage: botanical term; plural of epicotyl
Examples
- The epicotyls of the bean seedlings grew rapidly toward the light.
- In many plants, the epicotyls elongate before the first true leaves unfold.
- Botanists study epicotyls to understand seedling development and growth patterns.
- The epicotyls emerged from the soil as the seedlings continued to develop.
- Different plant species show varying rates of epicotyl elongation during germination.