Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
dehisce
verb
/dɪˈhɪs/
Definition
To split open or burst, typically referring to the natural opening of a seed pod or capsule to release its contents.
Examples
- Many plants use dehiscence as a method of seed dispersal, ensuring that their progeny can grow in new areas.
- The dehiscing pods of the milkweed release seeds that are carried away by the wind.
- Some flowers dehisce to allow pollinators to access their reproductive parts more easily.
Meaning
Dehisce is used mainly in botany to describe the process where certain types of seed pods open at maturity to allow seeds to disperse.
Synonyms
- burst
- split
- open
