retrorse
/rɪˈtrɔrs/
adjective
- Bent or pointing backward or downward, especially in biology (e.g., hairs, spines).
- The plant's stem had retrorse hairs that pointed downward, making it feel rough.
- Botanists noted the retrorse barbs on the seed pods helped them stick to animal fur.
- The caterpillar's retrorse spines faced backward, deterring predators from above.
Antonyms