gemma

plural gemmas · plural gemmae

1. biologyAn asexual reproductive structure, as found in animals such as hydra (genus Hydra) and plants such as liverworts (division Marchantiophyta), consisting of a cluster of cells from which new individuals can develop; a bud.

   I know of no other genera with such intramarginal formation of true gemmae.

   1969, Rudolf Mathias Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume 1, Columbia University Press, page 527

   2 more examples

   Gemmae are frequently longer than wide or of irregular shape. According to Degenkolbe, gemmae-bearing leaves are always different in form from normal leaves.

   1990, Anthony John Edwin Smith, The Liverworts of Britain and Ireland, page 2

   In Marchantia polymorpha, high temperature promotes germination of gemmae (Dacknowski, 1907), and heat absorbed by the gemmae accelerates their germination (Fitting, 1942).

   2005, R. N. Chopra, Biology of Bryophytes, page 32

   Synonyms: gemmule

plural Gemmas · alternative Jemma

1. A female given name from Italian.

   Gemma gave him another gushing smile. She wanted to make amends for almost fouling up Blake's deal. "Gemma. What a beautiful name. You are indeed a jewel."

   1998, Lisa Andrews, Too Late For Love, Robinson Pub., published 1998, →ISBN, page 200

   1 more example

   Gemma. A curious name. He didn't think he had ever come across it before. She would have an outlandish name, either because her equally eccentric parents had labelled her with it or—more likely—she had adopted it herself on the grounds of originality.

   1971, Ruth Rendell, No More Dying Then, Random House, published 2009, →ISBN, page 35

2. astronomyA bright binary star in the constellation Corona Borealis; Alpha (α) Coronae Borealis.

   Synonyms: Alphecca