a. Bot. [Incorrectly f. FRUT-EX + -ESCENT. The correct form would be *fruticescent.] Becoming shrubby; having the appearance or habit of a shrub.

1

1709.  Phil. Trans., XXVI. 469. Our Frutescent Herbs, such as Lavenders, Abrotonums, Rue, Tyme.

2

1775.  Masson, ibid. LXVI. 288. Evergreen shrubs, both frutescent and succulent.

3

1801.  Barrow, Interior S. Africa, I. i. 26. The frutescent or shrubby plants. Ibid., 38. A tall, elegant, fruitescent [sic] plant.

4

1830.  Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 185. Stems round, covered with scales; in the frutescent species leafy.

5

1859.  R. F. Burton, Centr. Afr., in Jrnl. Geog. Soc., XXIX. 142. The fruitescent [sic] produce of the mountains.

6