Columella (pl. = columellae)
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Title
Columella (pl. = columellae)
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Definition
A woody outgrowth that descends into the fruit from the interior, middle of the operculum.
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Notes
The columella develops from the upper septum of the septa. The longest, tack-shaped septa are found in species of Allantoma, Cariniana, Couratari and columellas are absent in the indehiscent-fruited genera (e.g., Grias, Gustavia, and Couroupita), and present but not well-developed in most species of other genera.
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Related Terms
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