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Glite Dictionary
silique

silique

9.9
A long thin seed pod on plants like mustard that splits open when ripe
  • noun
  • /sɪˈlik/
  • Specialized
translation icon : silique
  • The silique splits lengthwise to release the seeds when the plant is mature.

Examples

  • The silique of the mustard plant is quite distinctive.

  • The botany student carefully examined the silique under a magnifying glass.

  • Many members of the mustard family produce a distinctive silique after flowering.

  • Many plants produce siliques that open to release seeds.

  • The silique of the mustard plant bursts open to release its seeds when fully ripe.

  • Botanists study the silique shape and size to differentiate between species of brassicas.

  • Each silique can contain numerous seeds, allowing the plant to reproduce efficiently.

Synonyms

siliqua
vssilique
  • Specialized
9.9

A long, narrow seed pod on plants like mustard that splits open to release seeds

is the modern or preferred spelling used in current botanical writing

Surface Forms

silique singular
silicae plural

Etymology

Silique comes from the Latin word siliqua, which meant a 'pod' or 'husk' that holds seeds. So a silique today is literally a long seed 'pod' that splits open to let the seeds out.