A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

scalpelliformis,-e (adj.B): scalpelliform, symmetric and resembling the blade of a small, straight knife, such as a scalpel or lancet; “having the form of a common penknife blade, but planted vertically on a branch” (Lindley); shaped like the blade of a penknife; often set vertically” (Jackson); (bryology) “asymmetric and resembling the blade of a scalpel” (Magill 1990) [> L. scalpellum,-i (s.n.II), a lancet-knife + formis,-e (adj.B), form, shape]; see knife-shaped;

NOTE: a scalpel has an asymmetric blade: it is straight on one edge, the other is parallel in the lower half, but curves or tapers to an acute to acuminate (sharply-pointed) apex.

A word used by Schwaegrichen in Hedwig to describe the leaf of Fissidens (moss), whose dorsal lamina is narrow and nearly straight, and whose ventral laminae (both apical and vaginant) are wider and taper distally to an acute apex;

- Fissidens [bryoides] trunculo simplici, foliis scalpelliformibus acutis alternis pinnatim patentibus (Hedw.) Fissidens with the stem unbranched, with the leaves scalpelliform, acute, alternate, pinnately spreading.

- Fissidens palmatus: trunculo bravissimo subdecumbente, foliis scalpelliformibus acutis pinnatim divericatis (Hedw.) with an extremely short stem, somewhat decumbent, with the leaves scalpelliform, acute, pinnately divaticate.

NOTE: said also of Fissidens adianthoides, F. polypodioides

- [moss] folia perichaetialia intima subscalpelliformia undulata, magis acuta elamellosa (C. Mueller), innermost perichaetial leaves almost scalpel-shaped, undulate, more acute, lacking lamellae.

- [Fissidens polypodioides; moss] frond erecta siplicissima, foliis distichis scalpelliformibus (Hedw.), the frond erect, completely undivided, with the leaves distichous, scalpelliform.

[alga] Caulerpa scalpelliformis.