ligule
leaf structure
Quick Summary
A ligule is a small, scalelike projection found on plants. It is most commonly observed as a thin appendage on a foliage leaf, particularly on the sheath of a blade of grass. The term "ligule" originates from the Latin word for a small tongue or strap. In botany, this structure plays a role in distinguishing different grass species and can be a characteristic feature of their leaf anatomy. The combining form "ligul-" also relates to this structure, appearing in terms like "ligular" and "liguliform".12
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