Indumentum

In biology, an indumentum (Latin, literally: "garment") is a covering of trichomes (fine "hairs") on a plant^[1] or of bristles (rarely scales) of an insect.

Indumentum of Echium vulgare

Caducous hairs on a developing pitcher of Nepenthes chaniana

Rust-colored indumentum on the underside of a leaf of the bog Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)

Plants

Further information: Trichome

The indumentum on plants can have a wide variety of functions, including as anchorage in climbing plants (e.g., Galium aparine), in transpiration control, in water absorption (Tillandsia), the reflection of solar radiation, increasing water-repellency (e.g., in the aquatic fern Salvinia), in protection against insect predation, and in the trapping of insects (Drosera, Nepenthes, Stylosanthes). Plant indumentum types include

• hirsute
• lanate
• pilose
• pubescent
• scabrous
• scurfy
• stellate
• tomentose
• villous

Insects

The use of an indumentum on insects can be pollen-related as on bees, sensory like whiskers, or for other uses including adhesion and poison.

See also

• Glossary of botanical terms