Plural of gemma; small reproductive structures in plants and simple animals, or buds that develop into new organisms.
Direct Latin plural of 'gemma' (bud, gem). The word's original meaning as 'bud' persists in biology, where gemmae are literally plant buds used for asexual reproduction, before later extending to precious stones.
Here's the weird etymology plot twist: the word we use for sparkling diamonds originally meant 'bud on a tree'—Romans thought gems were nature's precious buds, and biologists kept that metaphor alive for reproduction!
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