Distichous is a botanical term used to describe the growth pattern in which leaves or branches are arranged in two parallel ranks on opposite sides of a stem or axis. Some synonyms for this term include decussate, opposite, and two-ranked. Decussate is derived from the Latin word 'decussare', which means to cross, and describes the pattern of crossing leaves or branches. Opposite refers to the arrangement of leaves or branches directly across from each other on the stem, and two-ranked emphasizes the presence of two distinct parallel rows. Other synonyms for distichous include bicostate and distichy. Understanding these different terminology can aid in plant identification and classification.