Echinulate
Encyclopedia
Echinulate is an adjective describing the spiny, or "spiky" nature of some spore
s found in plant
s and fungi; an example is the auxiliary cell
. The words derives from the same root as the prefix echino, meaning that the shape is similar to the porcupine
(whose family name is Echinoprocta).
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s found in plant
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
s and fungi; an example is the auxiliary cell
Auxiliary cell
The auxiliary cell is a spore-like structure that form within the fungal family Gigasporaceae . Auxiliary cells have thin cell walls, echinulate , papillate, knobby or sometimes smooth surfaces, and are formed from hyphae after spore germination before the formation of mycorrhizae, and then on the...
. The words derives from the same root as the prefix echino, meaning that the shape is similar to the porcupine
Porcupine
Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend or camouflage them from predators. They are indigenous to the Americas, southern Asia, and Africa. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Most porcupines are about long, with...
(whose family name is Echinoprocta).