cryptogamic
/krɪptə(ʊ)ˈɡamɪk
/adjective
1 Botany Relating to or denoting cryptogams.Diacylglyceryltrimethylhomoserine is known to be an important component of cryptogamic plants, including bryophytes, but its physiological role is still uncertain....
- After this fact one need not be surprised at the diffusion of the far lighter and smaller sporules of cryptogamic plants.
- Today the cryptogamic herbarium consists of 7000 lichens and 1500 bryophytes and continues to grow.
2 Ecology (Of a desert soil or surface crust) covered with or consisting of a fragile black layer of cyanobacteria, mosses, and lichens, which is often important in preventing erosion.Formation of mature cryptogamic crust (dark ridges) typically requires decades free of disturbance.
