Word of the day · Saturday 15 August 2026
Hypogeal
adjective Existing or growing underground
Definition from the free dictionary API.
Hypogeal
Meaning: Happening or growing underground.
In biology it’s mostly used for seeds and germination.
Pronounced: hi-PO-jee-uhl
From Greek hypo- = "under" + gea = "earth"
In botany:
Hypogeal germination = when a seed sprouts, but the cotyledons/leaves stay underground. The stem grows up and pushes the shoot out, while the seed leaves stay buried.
Examples: peas, beans, corn, oak trees
The opposite is epigeal = cotyledons come above ground.
Sentence:
Peas show hypogeal germination, so the seed leaves never see sunlight — only the stem grows above the soil.
Other examples:
• Many tubers and bulbs develop in a hypogeal environment to stay protected from frost.
• Moles and earthworms are hypogeal animals because they live underground.
Quick way to remember:
Hypogeal = Hypo = under + geal = earth. If it’s hypogeal, it’s staying low.
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