amphistomatous
|am-phis-to-ma-tous|
/ˌæm.fɪ.stəˈmeɪ.təs/
stomata on both surfaces
Etymology
'amphistomatous' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'amphi-' and 'stoma', where 'amphi-' meant 'on both sides' and 'stoma' meant 'mouth' or 'opening'.
'amphistomatous' was formed in modern scientific English from the Greek elements (via Neo-Latin formation such as 'amphistomatus') and entered botanical usage in the 19th century to describe leaf anatomy.
Initially it meant 'having openings on both sides', and over time it has retained the specialized botanical meaning 'having stomata on both surfaces of a leaf'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having stomata (pores) on both surfaces (upper and lower) of a leaf or other plant organ.
Many aquatic plants have amphistomatous leaves to facilitate gas exchange.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/13 00:49