Rudimentary or scale-like leaves which act as the covering of buds, etc..
[Greek] Appl. rudimentary or scale-like leaves which act as covering of buds.
kat-a-fil'ar-i, adj. pertaining to such rudimentary scale-leaves as are found on various parts of plants, esp. underground.--n. CATAPHYLL'UM. [Gr. kata, down, phyllon, leaf.]