laticiferous

Laticiferous describes plant structures that bear, contain, or secrete latex, the often milky fluid found in plants such as milkweed, dandelions, and rubber trees. The adjective is especially associated with the specialized vessels and ducts that form a plant’s laticifer system. When these structures are damaged or cut, their contents may ooze out as the familiar white or pale latex. Although the word literally conveys the idea of being “milk-bearing,” its modern meaning specifically concerns latex rather than ordinary milk. Laticiferous is principally a botanical term, but it can also be used in zoological and anatomical contexts when discussing structures that produce similar fluids. In general writing, the plainer phrase “latex-secreting” may be more accessible.

Bearing, containing, or secreting latex, a typically milky or sticky plant fluid. Laticiferous structures include the vessels and ducts found in plants such as milkweed and rubber trees.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does laticiferous come from?

The word combines Latin lătex, meaning “milk” or a milky fluid, with the suffix -fer, meaning “bearing” or “carrying.” It developed in scientific Latin and was later adopted into English in botanical terminology. Latin lătex also underlies words such as lactiferous and lactifer, while the related English noun laticifer denotes an individual latex-bearing vessel or duct.

How laticiferous is actually used

This is chiefly a botanical and anatomical term. In ordinary English, milkweed is said to contain a milky sap, but specialists describe that sap as latex and the structures that produce it as laticiferous.

Easily confused with laticiferous

What's another word for laticiferous?

Words and phrases paired with laticiferous