vexilary aestivation

1 definition found

vexilary aestivation - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vexillar \Vex"il*lar\, Vexillary \Vex"il*la*ry\, [Cf. F.
     vexillaire, L. vexillarius a standard bearer.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Of or pertaining to an ensign or standard.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the vexillum, or upper petal of
        papilionaceous flowers.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Vexilary aestivation (Bot.), a mode of aestivation in which
        one large upper petal folds over, and covers, the other
        smaller petals, as in most papilionaceous plants.
        [1913 Webster]