AC′ROSPIRE

(-spire). Syn. Acrospi′ra , L.; Plumule , Fr.; Blattkeim , Ger. The shoot or sprout of a seed, when it begins to grow; the part of a germinating seed termed the plume, or plumula. When the growth of a seed begins to be developed, the germ, from which the stem originates, shoots forth under the form of a delicate curved fibre, which, gradually bursting its covering, makes its appearance at the end of the seed. The fibrils of the radicle first sprout forth from the tip of the grain; a white elevation appears, that soon divides into three or more radicles, which rapidly grow larger, and are succeeded by the plumula, which peeps forth at the same point, in the form of a pale green leaflet, which, twisting thence beneath the husk to the other end of the seed, ultimately bursts its prison-house, and becomes a perfect leaf. See Germination and Malting .