1. plural of pulvinus; swollen bases of leaves or leaflets that control plant movement
Usage: botanical

Examples

• The pulvini at the base of the mimosa leaves cause them to fold when touched.
• Botanists studied the pulvini to understand how sensitive plants respond to stimuli.
• The pulvini contain specialized cells that change shape rapidly.
• Movement in legume leaves is controlled by their pulvini.
• The researcher examined the pulvini under a microscope to observe their structure.