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acrogenic

acrogenic

9.9
Growing only at the tip of the main stem, like some ferns and mosses
  • adjective
  • /ˌækrəˈdʒɛnɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : acrogénico
  • Many ferns exhibit an acrogenic mode of growth, elongating only at their shoot tips.

Examples

  • Mosses that are acrogenic develop new tissue exclusively from the apex of the main stem.

  • The acrogenic nature of certain plants helps scientists distinguish them from those with lateral growth.

  • The acrogenic growth of ferns is fascinating.

  • Some acrogenic plants thrive in moist environments.

  • Many ferns exhibit an acrogenic mode of growth, elongating only at their shoot tips.

  • Mosses that are acrogenic develop new tissue exclusively from the apex of the main stem.

  • The acrogenic nature of certain plants helps scientists distinguish them from those with lateral growth.

Synonyms

apical
vsacrogenic
  • Specialized
1 8.9

At the tip of something, especially a plant or body part

means growth only at the tip of the main stem rather than general location
acrogenous
vsacrogenic
  • Specialized
9.9

Growing only at the tip of the main stem, like ferns or mosses

has same meaning but is not limited to non-flowering plants

Surface Forms

acrogenic positive

Morphology

acrogenic = acro + gen + ic

Formed from Greek combining forms (acro- 'tip' + -gen-/-ic 'producing/related to') that are not standalone English words, so an average B1 learner cannot reliably derive the meaning from its parts.

Etymology

The word acrogenic comes from the Greek parts acro- 'top' or 'tip' and -genic 'making', as in generate, so it means 'making at the tip'. That is why an acrogenic plant grows new tissue only at the tip of its main stem.