In biology, an indumentum (Latin, literally: "garment") is a covering of trichomes (fine "hairs") on a plant or of bristles (rarely scales) of an insect.
Plants
The indumentum on plants can have a wide variety of functions, including as anchorage in climbing plants (e.g., Galium aparine), in transpiration control, in water absorption (Tillandsia), the reflection of solar radiation, increasing water-repellency (e.g., in the aquatic fern Salvinia), in protection against insect predation, and in the trapping of insects (Drosera, Nepenthes, Stylosanthes). Plant indumentum types include
- hirsute
- lanate
- pilose
- pubescent
- scabrous
- scurfy
- stellate
- tomentose
- villous
Insects
The use of an indumentum on insects can be pollen-related as on bees, sensory like whiskers, or for other uses including adhesion and poison.
See also
- Glossary of botanical terms
References
External links
- New South Wales Flora Online (PlantNET) – Indumentum types
