gnetal

plural gnetals · alternative gnetale

1. biologyAny species of the order Gnetales of relict gymnosperms.

   It^([the publicised book]) provides a complete coverage of the evolutionary approach to the major plant groups and discusses such special subjects as details on water ferns, gnetals, cyiads,^([sic]) the principal fungous groups, and slime molds.

   1959, AIBS Bulletin, Volumes 9-12, American Institute of Biological Sciences, page 38

   Synonyms: gnetophyte

alternative gnetale

1. not comparablebiologyOf or pertaining to the species of the order Gnetales.

   As we already have had occasion to remark for the gnetal and casuarinal alliances, a ½ floral symmetry is evidently an ancient one for that phylum.

   1918, John Muirhead Macfarlane, The Causes and Course of Organic Evolution, page 371