What does guttation mean?
Guttation is the botanical process in which a plant releases liquid water as droplets from the tips or edges of its leaves. It occurs when roots take up more water than the leaves can transpire, especially on cool, humid nights when evaporation is low. The water is forced upward by root pressure and emerges through hydathodes, specialized pores that can open and close. Although guttation can resemble dew, the liquid comes from inside the plant rather than from moisture condensing in the surrounding air. The term is used in plant physiology and horticulture and is particularly relevant when studying crop leaves, seedlings, and greenhouse plants. It is also useful for distinguishing harmless moisture beads from the early signs of disease or nutrient problems, although droplets alone do not necessarily indicate that a plant is unhealthy.
nounGuttation is the process by which liquid water is exuded in droplets from the tips or edges of leaves, especially during periods of low transpiration and high root pressure. The droplets are released through specialized pores called hydathodes and may appear like dew, but they originate from within the plant.
- The botanical process in which liquid water is exuded from the tips or edges of leaves through hydathodes.
"After the humid night, droplets of guttation glistened along the edges of the young leaves."
"Guttation was most visible on the lower leaves of the greenhouse plants in the early morning."
"The lawn's grass blades were covered with tiny droplets caused by guttation, rather than by dew."
The plural is grammatically regular but uncommon because the process is usually discussed in the singular.
"Nighttime guttations were observed on several plants in the greenhouse."
Plants do not sweat, but on humid nights their leaves can bead with water that has traveled all the way from their roots.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does guttation come from?
Guttation comes from Latin guttātiō, a noun derived from guttāre, meaning “to drop,” which is based on Latin gutta, “drop.” The same root underlies English words such as guttate, while gutter reflects a related development through Latin and Old French. In botany, the word was adopted for the specific process by which plants exude liquid water in droplets.
How guttation is actually used
Guttation is a technical botanical term, used mainly in plant physiology, horticulture, and agriculture. It is uncommon in general conversation, although the phenomenon is widely familiar to gardeners and plant observers.
Easily confused with guttation
Dew forms when water vapor condenses on a surface from the atmosphere, whereas guttation is liquid water exuded from the plant itself.
Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from plant tissues, while guttation is the release of liquid water in droplets.