whorled

/ˈ(h)wȯr(-ə)ld ˈ(h)wər(-ə)ld/ (ame, mw)

whorled — adjective

  • whorledpositive
  • more whorledcomparative
  • most whorledsuperlative

1. used to describe leaves, flowers, or branches that grow in a circular pattern ar

1.形容詞C1
釋義

used to describe leaves, flowers, or branches that grow in a circular pattern around a single point on a stem, with three or more structures at each level.

例句

Sofia noticed the whorled leaves, with six at each point on the stem.

attributive: whorled leaves

The students looked at the whorled flowers on the tall green stem in the garden.

同義詞
  • verticillate

    More technical Latin-derived synonym used in formal botanical descriptions; same meaning as whorled.

  • radial

    Broader term describing any arrangement that radiates from a center; not limited to plant structures.

反義詞
  • alternate

    Describes leaf arrangement with one leaf per node, alternating sides of the stem.

  • opposite

    Describes leaf arrangement with two leaves at each node, paired across the stem.

用法筆記

Primarily a botanical term. Used attributively (whorled leaves) and predicatively (the leaves are whorled). A whorled arrangement has three or more leaves or flowers at each node, as opposed to opposite (two per node) or alternate (one per node).

常見錯誤

❌The plant has whirled leaves around the stem.
✅The plant has whorled leaves around the stem.
💡'Whirled' is the past tense of 'whirl' (to spin); 'whorled' is the botanical term for circular leaf arrangement.
❌The stem has whorled leaves with two leaves at each point.
✅The stem has whorled leaves with four leaves at each point.
💡A whorled arrangement requires three or more leaves per node, not two.