distichous, a.
(ˈdɪstɪkəs)
[f. L. distich-us adj. (see distich) + -ous.]
Disposed in two opposite rows; having parts so disposed, two-ranked; formerly, sometimes = dichotomous; spec. in Bot. arranged (alternately) in two vertical ranks on opposite sides of the axis, as in the glumes and grains of barley; in Entom. applied to antennæ having the joints similarly arranged.
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Stalk, If it [the stalk] part into two series of branches, it is expressed by the term distichous. 1819 Mem. Sir J. E. Smith (1832) II. 250 Perfectly distichous leaves. 1828 Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. I. 127 Tail round at its base, distichous at the extremity. 1839–47 Todd Cycl. Anat. III. 264/2 Having the hairs of the tail distichous. 1845 Florist's Jrnl. 69 Distichous flowers in a leafy spike. 1870 Bentley Bot. 137 A second variety of arrangement of alternate leaves is called distichous or two-ranked. |
Hence ˈdistichously adv.
| 1853 G. Johnston Nat. Hist. E. Bord. I. 220 The spike is sometimes compound and distichously branched. 1870 Hooker Stud. Flora 305 Statice, Sea-lavender..spikelets, which are alternately distichously or secundly arranged. 1881 Bentham in Jrnl. Linn. Soc. XVIII. 325 The leaves are..distichously imbricate on the short stem. |