Pruina

Pruina or Epicuticular wax [ Botany ]
(Syn: Hoarfrost, Bloom)
Adjective: Pruinose

Dictionary of botanic terminology
index of names

A waxy powdery substance which covers the surfaces of certain fruits (like the bloom of plum and grape) and of different plant organs (leaf, stems etc.)

A nice rosette of pruinose leaves of Echeveria lauii

From Latin pruina “hoarfrost.”

The pruina or epicuticular wax is a fine more or less crystalline, farinaceous dust, easily removable, which one can usually wipe with the finger. Pruina has a protective functions it make skin impermeable to water, reflect intense sun radiation an protect against bacteria and insects attacks.

Pruinose [ Botany - Surface feature ]
(Synonyms: Glaucous )


	A surface feature that can be found on different organs of a plant. Having a blue-grey appearance, as if frosted; with the brightness of a plum-like bloom, due to a bloom or a powdery coating of wax (Pruina).

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