Bot. Also tigel, and in L. form tigella, (erron. tigellum, tigellus). [F. tigelle caulicle, radicle, dim. of tige.
(Tibia, tige, tigelle are fem., hence the correct Latin form is tigella.)]
The embryonic axis or primitive stem, which bears the cotyledons; the caulicle or radicle. Sometimes applied to the plumule, which is properly the growing top of the tigelle. Hence Tigellate a., having a tigelle; Tigellule, see quot. 1860; whence Tigellular a., pertaining to or of the nature of a tigellule.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., Tigella, term for that part of the vegetable embryo which unites the radicle to the cotyledon. Ibid., Tigellatus, applied to the plumula when supplied with a visible tigella, as in the Faba: tigellate. Ibid., Tigellular. Ibid. Tigellula, term by Turpin for the short and sterile filaments which are one of the two elementary organs of the mass of the truffle: a tigellule.
1866. Treas. Bot., Tigellate, having a short stalk, as the plumule of a bean.
1900. B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, 271/1. Tigelle, Tigella,… a miniature or initial stem, used for (a) caulicle or hypocotyl, (b) plumule.
