cataphyll

== English == === Etymology === From cata- +‎ -phyll; intended as translation of German Niederblatt, literally, “lower leaf”. === Noun === cataphyll (plural cataphylls) (botany) A leaf, sometimes abortive, sometimes persistent, that does not develop into a photosynthetic structure, but instead fulfills protective or storage functions. Examples include cotyledons, bud-scales, glochids, rhizome-scales, and bulb-scales. ==== Related terms ==== cataphyllary ==== Translations ==== === References ===