plumule

A down feather.

The young shoot of a plant embryo above the cotyledons, consisting of the epicotyl and often of immature leaves.

In ornithology, a down-feather; a feather of plumulaceous structure throughout.

In entomology: A little plume-like organ or ornament.

One of the peculiar obcordate scales found on the wings of certain lepidopterous insects, as Pieridæ.

The bud of the ascending axis of a plant while still in the embryo, situated at the apex of the caulicle (or radicle), above the base of the cotyledon or cotyledons, and inclosed by them when there are two or more.

The first bud, or gemmule, of a young plant; the bud, or growing point, of the embryo, above the cotyledons. See Illust. of radicle.

A down feather.

The aftershaft of a feather. See Illust. under Feather.