coleoptile
/ˌkoʊliˈɑptaɪl/
noun
- A protective sheath covering the first leaf of a grass seedling as it grows through the soil.
- In the lab, students measured how light affects the growth of the coleoptile in oat seedlings.
- Farmers know that a healthy coleoptile is important for strong crop emergence.
- The coleoptile helps the young grass shoot push through the soil without damage.