virescence

[ vahy-res-uhns, vi- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Botany.

state of becoming somewhat, though usually not totally, green, due to the abnormal presence of chlorophyll.

virescence

/ vɪˈrɛsəns /

(in plants) the process of becoming green, esp by the action of disease, etc, in parts not normally green
the condition of being or the process of becoming green

First recorded in 1885–90; viresc(ent) + -ence

C19: see virescent

See also succeeding paragraphs and sections in Chloranthy, Virescence, &c.

A sudden belch of flame, outside, split the night with terrible virescence.

Some of the above are probably cases of mere virescence rather than of phyllody.

The plumage of the young bird is brownish-olive above, with a tendency to stronger virescence on the rump and tail.

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