noun
- plural of theca; protective cases or sheaths, especially those containing spores in plants or covering certain anatomical structures
Usage: botanical; anatomical; technical
Examples
- The botanist examined the thecae of the fern sporangia under the microscope.
- Each anther contains two thecae that hold the pollen grains.
- The thecae protect the developing spores until they are ready for release.
- In some species, the thecae split open when the spores mature.
- The researcher counted the number of thecae in each specimen.
- Damage to the thecae can prevent proper spore dispersal.