Sessile

What Does Sessile Mean?

In botany, sessile refers to leaves that are directly attached to the plant’s base. These leaves do not depend on any stalks and are borne directly from the plant’s stem since they do not have a petiole. In these types of plants, the flowers also expand straight from the stem.

Maximum Yield Explains Sessile

In mycology, sessility may also allude to a fungal fruit body that lacks a pedicel or stipe, resting instead on the substrate. Sessile organisms require less food since they have a much lower metabolic rate. These leaves often grow in radial symmetry and respond to various types of stimuli. The majority of sessile organisms- plants or otherwise- also tend to grow in clumps which is beneficial for reproduction.

Some perennial plants such as Disporum smithii, or fairy lamps have stalked flowers, but with sessile leaves. Plants such as the Watsonia Borbonica, on the other hand do display sessile leaves but an erect stem and longer-stemmed sessile flowers.