abscission
abscission — noun
1. The natural process in which a plant deliberately drops a part of itself — such
The natural process in which a plant deliberately drops a part of itself — such as a leaf, flower, or piece of fruit — by forming a special layer of cells that slowly cuts the part off from the rest of the plant.
Natural abscission caused the maple leaves to fall onto the garden path.
collocation: natural abscission
After the fruit ripened, abscission made the apple drop from the branch.
In biology class, abscission was described as a process that protects trees through winter.
The gardener found the abscission layer where the flower had separated from the stem.
During autumn, abscission allows old leaves to fall before new buds open.
- shedding
Broader term — can apply to animals losing fur, feathers, or skin, not just plants
- dropping
Everyday word for a part falling off; less precise and not limited to plants
- defoliation
Specifically the loss of leaves, often through damage or chemicals rather than a natural process
- attachment
The state of being fastened or connected, opposite of separation
用法筆記
Primarily used in botany and plant science. In everyday conversation, speakers more commonly use verbs like fall off or drop rather than the noun abscission.