What is "peduncles"

Usage examples of "peduncles".

Considering that the flowerheads are very light, that the peduncles are long, thin, and flexible, and that they arise from flexible branches, it is incredible that an object as blunt as one of these flowerheads could penetrate the ground by means of the growing force of the peduncle, unless it were aided by the rocking movement.

These taken together suffice to render it probable that all peduncles and subpeduncles circumnutate whilst growing.

With these facts before us, bearing also in mind that the tendrils of not a few plants consist of modified peduncles, we may admit without much doubt that all growing flowerstems circumnutate.

As soon as the pods begin to swell, the peduncles increase much in length and slowly curve downwards, but the short, upper, hooked part straightens itself.

The peduncles can change the direction of their curvature, for if a pot, with plants having their peduncles already bowed downwards, be placed horizontally, they slowly bend at right angles to their former direction towards the centre of the earth.

The pot, in the same position, was next brought back into the light, and after two days there was some bending downwards of the peduncles, and on the fourth day two of them pointed to the centre of the earth, as did the others after an additional day or two.

This pot was then brought back into the light, and after three days the peduncles were considerably bowed downwards.

Considering the great length and thinness of the peduncles and the lightness of the pods, we may conclude that they would not be able to excavate saucerlike depressions in sand or sawdust, or bury themselves in moss, etc.

As this latter movement occurred in complete darkness, and with peduncles arising from upright and from dependent branches, it cannot be due to apheliotropism or to epinasty, but must be attributed to geotropism.

Three very young peduncles had as yet moved only a little downwards, but after an additional 24 h.

It should be stated that these peduncles were observed under a double skylight in the house, and that they generally moved downwards very much more slowly than those on plants growing out of doors or in the greenhouse.