hypogeal
/ˌhʌɪpə(ʊ)ˈdʒiːəl
/(also hypogean)
adjective Botany
1Underground; subterranean. Compare with epigeal.Quercus seedlings have hypogeal cotyledons and tap roots, both of which act as storage organs....
- We examined sequence variation in a mitochondrial gene, ND2, from 364 individuals representing 6 hypogean and 11 epigean populations.
1.1(Of seed germination) with the seed leaves remaining below the ground.Examples of hypogeal germination are seen in oak and runner bean....
- If hypogeal, the cotyledon remains below ground at germination, feeding a tiny growing bulb from the endosperm.
Origin
Late 17th century: via late Latin from Greek hupogeios (from hupo 'under' + gē 'earth') + -al.