squamulose

9.9

A plant or lichen surface covered with many small scales like tiny flat pieces

adjective
/ˈskwɑːmjʊloʊs/

Specialized

: esquamuloso

The squamulose texture of the lichen was visible under the microscope.

Examples

Some desert plants develop a squamulose surface as protection against the harsh sun.
Certain species of fungi have squamulose caps that flake off easily.
That is a squamulose plant.
Look at the squamulose patches on that tree!
Some desert plants develop a squamulose surface as protection against the harsh sun.
The squamulose texture of the lichen was visible under the microscope.
Certain species of fungi have squamulose caps that flake off easily.

Synonyms

squamous

vssquamulose

Specialized

1 8.6

Covered in small, flat scales like a snake or fish

is limited to surfaces made of specifically small scales

lepidote

vssquamulose

Specialized

9.9

Rough to the touch because it is covered with small scales

is about being covered by small scales rather than rough feel

squamosal

vssquamulose

Specialized

9.9

With small overlapping plates like fish scales

is used for plant or lichen surfaces covered with small scales

squamosa

vssquamulose

Specialized

9.9

A surface or tissue that looks like fish scales

is focused on actual small scale coverings on plant or lichen surfaces

squamate

vssquamulose

Specialized

9.2

Relating to lizards and snakes or animals with scaly skin

is about small scale coverings on plants or lichens, not taxonomy

How Scaly

squamulose

Specialized

9.9

scaly

15 3.3

Surface Forms

squamulose positive

Morphology

squamulose = squama (opaque) = squamul + ose

The combining form 'squamul-' (relating to scales) is a technical/rare root and is not familiar to average learners, so the relation is not readily derivable.

Etymology

Squamulose comes from the Latin root squama, which means 'scale' (like a fish scale). So a squamulose surface is one 'covered with small scales', which is why the word describes lichens and plants that look flaky or scaly.