A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Apiculus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. apiculo: an apicule, apiculus, “a little point, not stiff” (Lindley); apiculus, a short, abrupt point, used in bryology (Dixon 1924); spelled ‘apicula:’ “a sharp and short, but not stiff point, in which a leaf may end” (Jackson); note that a mucro is shorter than an apiculus in mosses, a cusp longer and stouter (C&A); (fungi) “a short, sharp, but not stiff, point; (of basidiospores) commonly (but improperly) used for the short, often sharp, diverticule at the basal end of the spore, by which it is or was attached to the sterigma and from which a droplet is exuded at the instant of discharge (see Heim, 1931)” (S&D)[> L. dim. of apex,-icis (s.m.III), q.v.]; cf. acumen, tapering apex of leaf, with angle at apex less than 15*; cf. awn, cusp, mucro, subula; cf. diverticulum,-i (s.n.II); see unguis,-is (s.m.III).

NOTE: apiculus,-i (s.m.II), “a sharp and short, but not stiff point, in which a leaf may end” (Jackson); mucro,-onis (s.m.(III), q.v., a short, hard, abrupt apical point, shorter than an apiculus; cuspis,-idis (s.f.III), q.v., a sharp and rigid point longer and stouter than a mucro; subula,-ae (s.f.I), q.v., slenderly long-acuminate, like an awl or needle, longer than the preceeding ‘points.’

- costa in apiculum validum acutum laevem rubrum excurrens, costa excurrent into an apiculus robust sharp smooth red.

- costa breviter in apiculum acutum e cellula unica laevi excurrens, costa shortly excurrent into a sharp apiculus composed of a single smooth cell.

Sterigma,-atis (s.n.III), q.v. abl.sg. sterigmate:(fungi) a process from a cell, esp. a basidium, for supporting a spore; cf. phialide.