Definition

Abscise is to shed flowers and leaves and fruit following the formation of scar tissue.

Discussion

Abscission can occur naturally as a function of normal plant aging (senescence), or it can be an accelerated aging process caused by certain plant diseases that invlove the production of the gaseous plant hormone, ethylene, or by other factors that interrupt or impede the flow or water and nutrients in a plant. Plant tissues at the abscission interface may show scarring or healing.