acropetal

9.9

Appearing along a stem from the bottom toward the top

adjective
/ˌækrəˈpɛtəl/

Specialized

: acropetal

Many species exhibit acropetal development during the early stages of growth.

Examples

In acropetal order, new leaves appear progressively higher up the stem.
The plant's acropetal flowering ensures that the oldest blooms are found near the base.
The acropetal arrangement of leaves allows for better light exposure.
In an acropetal flowering pattern, blooms appear from the bottom to the top.
In the plant's growth pattern, the flowers bloom in an acropetal manner, starting from the base and moving upwards.
The leaves on the branch developed acropetal, with the younger ones at the top growing after the older ones below.
As the season progressed, the acropetal arrangement of the petals became more pronounced on the flowering stem.

Antonyms

basipetal

Specialized

9.9

Flowers or leaves that open one after another from the tip toward the base

Surface Forms

acropetal positive

Morphology

acropetal = petal (semi-transparent) = acro + petal + acro

The structure acro- + petal is morphologically regular, but the combining form 'acro-' (meaning 'tip/apex') is a specialized Greek form that many learners do not know.

Etymology

Acropetal comes from the Greek parts acro- meaning 'top' and -petal meaning 'petal' or 'leaf', the same 'petal' you know from a flower. So acropetal is a handy word for growth that opens or appears 'toward the top' of a stem, with newer leaves or flowers higher than the older ones.