guttation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low frequency / C2+Technical / Scientific (Botany, Plant Physiology)
Quick answer
What does “guttation” mean?
The process in plants where water is exuded in liquid droplets from the margins or tips of leaves, typically at night.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process in plants where water is exuded in liquid droplets from the margins or tips of leaves, typically at night.
In a broader biological sense, any secretion or exudation of liquid from an organism or tissue, though this usage is rare and mostly confined to technical writing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is identically used and spelled in both scientific communities.
Connotations
Purely technical with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both UK and US contexts. It would only be encountered in botanical texts, university courses, or horticultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “guttation” in a Sentence
[Subject: Plant] + undergoes/experiences/shows + guttationGuttation + occurs/happens + [Adjunct: in conditions of high soil moisture]The + guttation + of + [Specific plant]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guttation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The strawberry plants were guttating heavily in the humid greenhouse.
- This cultivar rarely guttates, even with ample watering.
American English
- The wheat seedlings will guttate if the soil is saturated overnight.
- We observed the grass guttating at dawn.
adjective
British English
- The guttation fluid was collected for analysis.
- Guttation droplets can be a sign of overwatering.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in plant physiology papers and textbooks. Example: 'The study measured rates of guttation versus transpiration.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. An everyday description would be 'water droplets on the leaf edges.'
Technical
The primary context. Used by botanists, horticulturists, and agricultural scientists.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guttation”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guttation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guttation”
- Confusing guttation with dew (condensation from the atmosphere).
- Mispronouncing it as /ɡuːˈteɪʃən/ (like 'guitar').
- Using it as a general term for any plant secretion, rather than specifically for water exuded via hydathodes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Dew is water that condenses from the atmosphere onto cool surfaces. Guttation is liquid water actively exuded from within the plant itself.
Not usually. It's a normal physiological process, especially in conditions of moist soil and high humidity. However, persistent heavy guttation can sometimes create a pathway for pathogens to enter.
No. It is common in many herbaceous plants, grasses, and some seedlings. It requires specific structures called hydathodes at the leaf margins and conditions that generate sufficient root pressure.
It is primarily water, but it can also contain small amounts of dissolved minerals, sugars, and organic compounds that were in the xylem sap.
The process in plants where water is exuded in liquid droplets from the margins or tips of leaves, typically at night.
Guttation is usually technical / scientific (botany, plant physiology) in register.
Guttation: in British English it is pronounced /ɡʌˈteɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡəˈteɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GUTTation' as the plant's 'GUT' reaction – releasing excess water it has 'drunk' through its roots, like droplets of sweat.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PLANT IS A HYDRATION SYSTEM; GUTTATION IS A RELEASE VALVE. The plant is seen as a pressured system that regulates its internal fluid balance, with guttation being an overflow mechanism.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of guttation in plants?