scurf
9.9
A thin scaly covering on some parts of a plant
- noun
- /skɜrf/
- Specialized
:
escama
- Some desert plants are covered with a whitish scurf to reflect sunlight.
Examples
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The scurf on the leaf surface protected it from excessive moisture loss.
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Careful examination revealed a fine scurf encasing the buds.
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The plant was covered in scurf.
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The scurf on the leaves made them look unhealthy.
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Some desert plants are covered with a whitish scurf to reflect sunlight.
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Careful examination revealed a fine scurf encasing the buds.
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The scurf on the leaf surface protected it from excessive moisture loss.
How Scaly
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word scurf comes from the same old Norse root skorfa meaning 'scab' or 'flake', and that's why it can also name the thin scaly or branny cover on some plants that looks like tiny protective flakes.