nyctitropic, a. Bot.
(nɪktɪˈtrɒpɪk)
[f. nycti- + Gr. τρόπος turn; cf. geotropic, heliotropic.]
Turning in a certain direction at night. So nyctitropism. (See quots.)
| 1880 C. & F. Darwin Movem. Pl. 281 Nyctitropism and nyctitropic, i.e. night-turning, may be applied both to leaves and flowers,..but it would be best to confine the term to leaves. Ibid. 298 No movement deserves to be called nyctitropic, unless it has been acquired for the sake of lessening radiation. 1885 Goodall Physiol. Bot. (1892) 411 When leaves which naturally assume nyctitropic positions are pinned.., serious injuries result. |