gem i to rial (jemitorial)

Pertaining to the gemma (jem'ä), n.; pl. gemma (-ē). [L., a swelling bud, a gem: see gem.] 1. In bot. and zool., a bud; that which is budded; the result of gemmation. Specifically, in bot.: (a) A leaf bud as distinguished from flower-bud; the rudiment of a young branch. (b) A small undeveloped shoot, or anal ogous fusiform or lenticular body, which becomes detached from the mother plant and originates a new one, as in some mo es and liverworts, etc. In some fungi portions of the mycelium become detached and reproduce 2. [ cap.] In conch., a genus of bivalve mollusks, of the family Venerida, containing a single small species, G. totteni or G. gemma (originally Venus gemma ), about one eighth of an inch long, yellowish or rosy-white tipped with amethystine, found on the Atlantic coast of the United States. The young are retained inside the valves of the parent till their shells are formed. the plant in a similar manner.