protonema

[ proh-tuh-nee-muh ]
/ ˌproʊ təˈni mə /

noun, plural pro·to·ne·ma·ta [proh-tuh-nee-muh-tuh] /ˌproʊ təˈni mə tə/. Botany.

a primary, usually filamentous structure produced by the germination of the spore in mosses and certain related plants, and from which the leafy plant which bears the sexual organs arises as a lateral or terminal shoot.

Origin of protonema

1855–60; < New Latin < Greek prōto- proto- + nêma thread

OTHER WORDS FROM protonema

pro·to·ne·mal, adjective

Words nearby protonema

proton microscope, proton number, proton synchrotron, proton-proton chain, proton-pump inhibitor, protonema, protonic, protonotary, protopathic, protopathic sensibility, protopectin

British Dictionary definitions for protonemata

protonema
/ (ˌprəʊtəˈniːmə) /

noun plural -nemata (-ˈniːmətə)

a branched threadlike structure that grows from a moss spore and eventually develops into the moss plant

Derived forms of protonema

protonemal or protonematal (ˌprəʊtəˈniːmətəl, -ˈnɛmətəl), adjective

Word Origin for protonema

C19: from New Latin, from proto- + Greek nema thread

Scientific definitions for protonemata

protonema
[ prō′tə-nē′mə ]

Plural protonemata (prō′tə-nē′mə-tə, -nĕm′ə-)

The green filamentous or flat, thallus-like structure that grows from the germinated spores of liverworts and mosses and eventually gives rise to a mature gametophyte.