Deciduous

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Deciduous

Deciduous (/dɪˈsɪdʒuəs/), derived from Latin decidere meaning "to fall off", is a term primarily used in botany to refer to trees, shrubs, and plants that shed their leaves seasonally, typically in the autumn; to contrast with evergreen, which continuously maintains leaves, and semi-deciduous that lose their leaves for a very short period as new leaves develop.

Etymology

The term "deciduous" comes from the Latin word decidere, which means "to fall off". This term was first used in English in the 17th century to describe trees that lose their leaves in autumn.

Related Terms

  • Evergreen: A term used to describe trees and plants that retain their leaves throughout the year.
  • Semi-deciduous: A term used to describe plants that lose their foliage for a very short period when old leaves are shed and new foliage growth is emerging.
  • Leaf senescence: The process of aging in leaves, often leading to leaf drop or abscission.
  • Abscission: The process by which plants shed various parts, such as leaves, seeds, or fruit.

See Also

References

  • Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology. James D. Mauseth. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2014.
  • The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms. Michael Hickey, Clive King. Cambridge University Press, 2000.

External links

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