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Glite Dictionary
pinnule

pinnule

9.9
A small leaf part on a bigger divided leaf, like on a fern
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪn.juːl/
  • Specialized
: pinnula
  • Each pinnule is finely divided, giving the fern a delicate appearance.

Examples

  • The pinnules are arranged in a feather-like pattern.

  • The pinnule structure distinguishes this species from other compound-leaved plants.

  • Botanists examined the arrangement of pinnules on the leaf axis.

  • Look at the tiny pinnule!

  • Botanists examined the arrangement of pinnules on the leaf axis.

  • Each pinnule is finely divided, giving the fern a delicate appearance.

  • The pinnule structure distinguishes this species from other compound-leaved plants.

Synonyms

leaflet
vspinnule
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A single part of a compound leaf that shares a stalk with others

is a smaller final division occurring in pinnately arranged compound leaves

Surface Forms

pinnule singular
pinnules plural

Etymology

Pinnule comes from the Latin pinna meaning 'feather' and the small ending -ule meaning 'small', so it literally means a 'small feather'. In plants a pinnule is a tiny leaf section that looks like a little feather, which is why the name fits its shape.