perisperm Bot.
(ˈpɛrɪspɜːm)
[ad. F. périsperme ad. mod.L. perisperm-um (Jussieu 1789), f. Gr. περί around + σπέρµα seed.]
The mass of nutritive tissue or ‘albumen’ outside the embryo-sac in some seeds (distinguished from the endosperm within the embryo-sac); also, the tissue of the nucellus, which sometimes persists in the ripe seed (Brongniart 1827). Formerly used for the ‘albumen’ generally; also for the testa or integument of the seed (Richard 1808).
| 1819 Lindley tr. Richard's Observ. Fruits & Seeds 84 Endosperm;..Jussieu called it Perisperm; Gærtner Albumen. 1835 Henslow Descr. & Phys. Bot. §269 In many cases this nutriment, or ‘amnios’,..is not wholly absorbed by the ripening ovule; and it ultimately becomes the ‘albumen’ or ‘perisperm’ of the seed, and is then farinaceous, hard, or oily. 1852 Th. Ross Humboldt's Trav. I. vi. 214 The horned perisperm of the coffee-tree. 1885 G. L. Goodale Physiol. Bot. (1892) 437 The food within the developing embryo sac is termed endosperm; if around it, perisperm. |
Hence periˈspermal, periˈspermic, adjs., pertaining to, or having, a perisperm.
| 1819 Lindley tr. Richard's Obs. 23 The origin of the perispermic vessels. 1866 Treas. Bot., Perispermic..furnished with albumen. 1876 Harley Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 443 The husk and perispermal membrane are inert. |