Explore Plants

Share

Glossary of Botanical Terms

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    
Results 145 through 180 of 271
term definition
OblanceolateInversely lanceolate with top wider than bottom.
ObliqueLeaf shows asymmetry at the base.
OblongMuch longer than broad with sides nearly parallel.
ObovateInversely ovate, with the narrower end of the leaf blade toward the branch.
ObtuseBlunt or rounded at the tip.
ONOntario
OppositeSaid of leaves originating in pairs at a node, with the members of each pair opposite each other on the stem.
OrbicularCircular or nearly so.
OvalHaving the general form, shape, or outline of an egg; egg-shaped.
OvaryThe basal part of the pistil, bearing the ovules, which later develop into seeds. See also Inferior ovary; Superior ovary.
OvateShaped like an egg, with the narrow end at the apex.
PalmateDivided or radiating from one point, resembling a hand with the fingers spread. Leaves may be palmately compound and/or palmately lobed; they may also have palmate venation.
Palmately compoundLeaflets radiating from one point, resembling a hand with the fingers spread. Leaves may also be palmately lobed or have palmate venation.
PanicleA branched raceme; a raceme of racemes.
PappusThe calyx modifications found on many species of Asteraceae (Sunflower Family), commonly appearing as hairs, bristles, or scales, and usually persisting on the fruit.
ParallelA leaf whose veins run in parallel from the stem.
Parallel venationMain veins running from base to apex of leaf.
Part ShadePart shade is classified as a garden receiving 4-6 hours of sun with dappled shade from trees or as approximately 4 hours of sun with shade either in the morning or afternoon. Part shade and part sun are used interchangeably by the horticulture industry.
PEPrince Edward Island
PedicelThe stalk of a single flower in a cluster of flowers.
PeduncleThe stalk of a solitary flower or of a cluster of flowers.
PeltateLeaf shape that is round or rounded with the petiole attachment on the abaxial leaf surface and not on a leaf edge.
PendulousSuspended, hanging.
PerennialA plant or plant species with a normal life cycle exceeding two years.
PerfectA flower with both male and female reproductive organs; bisexual, hermaphroditic or monoclinous.
PerfoliateA leaf with the base united around the stem.
PerianthCollective term for petals and sepals (corolla and calyx).
PetalUnit of the corolla.
PetioleA leaf stem.
PetioluleThe stalk of the leaflet of a compound leaf.
PhyllaryA term sometimes used for individual bracts below the head of flowers in Asteraceae (Sunflower Family), so designated to avoid confusion with bracts on the flower stem.
Pinnae(Pinna, sing.) A division of a pinnately compound leaf.
PinnateArranged along an axis. Leaves may be pinnately compound (see below) and/or pinnately lobed; they may also have pinnate venation, with veins extending from the midrib.
Pinnately CompoundLeaves with leaflets opposite each other on each side of the midrib. They may be oddly pinnate, ending with a leaflet at the tip, or evenly pinnate, with no leaflet at the end. These leaflets may be twice compound (Bipinnate), like the leaves on sensitive briars (Mimosa spp.).
PistilThe seed-producing or female organ, consisting of ovary, style, and stigma; usually located in the center of the flower.
Pistillate flowerA flower with pistils, but no stamens.
PithThe spongy tissue in the center of a stem.
PodA dry fruit that splits after ripening, a term applied to fruits in the Legume Family.
PR(I)Introduced to Puerto Rico
PR(N)Native to Puerto Rico
PR(NI)Native and Introduced to Puerto Rico
PrickleA sharp process on the surface of a twig or leaf, an outgrowth.
ProstrateLying flat on the ground.
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native BeesA plant that native bees nest beneath, within, or harvest parts from to construct their nests.
ProximalToward the base of a plant or the point of attachment of a plant part. Cf, Distal.
PubescentSaid of stems or leaves with soft hairs.
QCQuebec
QuadrifidusDivided into four parts.
RacemeAn inflorescence in which each flower is attached to the main stalk by a short stem (pedicel). The youngest flowers, at the tip, may continue to develop while those below are forming fruit.
RachisThe axis of a pinnately compound leaf.
Radial asymmetryThe flower can be cut into two equal halves in many ways, provided that the plane of cutting passes through the center.
RayThe outer irregular flowers in the heads of many Compositae (Sunflower Family). Each has a single, tongue-shaped corolla.
ReceptacleEnd of stem to which flowers are attached. lFig. 1)
Regular flowerA flower equal in size, form, and union of its similar parts; radially symmetrical. Example: Solanaceae (Potato Family).
ReniformKidney-shaped.
RetuseHaving a rounded apex with a central depression.
RhizobiaSoil-borne bacteria which form nitrogen-rich root nodules.
RhizobiumSoil-borne bacteria which form nitrogen-rich root nodules.
RhizomeA horizontal underground stem.
Rib (of cactus)A ridge; a raised surface running vertically or sometimes spiraling, and bearing areoles in a row along its summit. Often thought of as being composed of more or less united tubercles which may be evident as bulging masses along it.
RosetteAn arrangement of leaves radiating from the stem at a nearly common level, frequently at or just above the ground line.
RuncinateLeaf having incised margins with the lobes or teeth curved toward the base.
SagittateShaped like an arrowhead.
SamaraA dry, winged, one-seeded fruit.
SapWatery fluid that circulates through a plant carrying sugars, minerals and nutrients.
ScabrousRough to the touch.
ScapeA naked flower stem rising from the ground.
ScorpioidCurled, like the tail of a scorpion.
Semi-evergreenHaving foliage during part of the winter or dry season or tending to be evergreen in a mild climate but deciduous in a rigorous climate.
SepalsParts that surround the petals, stamens, and pistil; usually green and leaflike. Sometimes they are the same size, shape, and color as the petals; as in Cooperia pedunculata (rain lily), in which case both sepals and petals are called sepals.
SerrateToothed like a saw.
SessileLacking a stalk of any kind: a flower without a pedicel or a leaf without a petiole.
ShootA stem or branch and its leaves.
ShrubA low growing, usually less than 15 feet, woody perennial plant without a central stem.
SimpleNot divided into parts, e.g., a leaf with the blade in one piece.
SinusThe depression or recess between two lobes.
SKSaskatchewan
SolitaryBorne singly; alone.
SpatulatePaddle, or spoon shaped, broad at the tip and narrowed towards the base.
Special Value to Native BeesRecognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of native bees.
Special Value to Bumble BeesRecognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of bumble bees.
Special Value to Honey BeesIdentified by beekeepers and pollination biologists as an important pollen or nectar source (honey plant) for honey bees.
SpikeFlowers are attached directly to the main stem; no pedicels are present. The youngest flowers or buds are at the top. Spp. Abbreviation for plural of "species."
SpineA sharp-pointed structure commonly related to a leaf in origin.
SpurA tubular or saclike extension of a sepal or petal, usually containing nectar.
StamensThe male parts of the flower, carrying the pollen. usually in the center of the blossom and surrounding the pistil, if present. Filaments and anthers collectively.
StaminateHaving stamens.
Staminate flowerA flower with stamens but no pistil.
StellateStar shaped, said of certain branched hairs.
StemThe main axis of a plant.
StigmaThe tip of the pistil, which receives the pollen; may be rounded, lobed, or branched
StipuleA basal appendage of the petiole; usually in pairs. Varies in shape and may be minute and hairlike or stiff and sharp, or like segments of the leaf blade.
StipulesLeaflike structures that grow where the leaf is attached to the stem.
StolonA horizontal above ground stem.
StyleThe stalk-like part of the pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma.
SubshrubShorter than a shrub, often weakly woody and persisting for only a few years.
Superior ovaryAn ovary situated above the origin of sepals and petals.
Supports Conservation Biological ControlA plant that attracts predatory or parasitoid insects that prey upon pest insects.
TapThe main, central root of a plant.
TaprootA single main root that grows vertically into the ground.
TendrilA slender coiling or twining structure modified from a leaf, branch, or other organ.
TepalsCollective term for sepals and petals when sepals are petal-like, as in Cooperia pedunculata (rain lily).
ThornA sharp-pointed structure formed by a modified branch.
ToothedSaid of petals or leaves having margins more or less sharply indented.
TreeA woody perennial plant having a single main stem or trunk which generally grows more than 20 feet tall.
TrifoliateHaving three leaflets.
TripinnateA bipinnate leaf whose pinnae are divided into a third set of leaflets.
TruncateEnding abruptly, e.g., a leaf blade squared at the base.
TubercleA more or less pyramidal knob rising from the stem surface of a cactus and having an areole on or near its summit.
TwigA small branch.
Two lipped flowerA flower that has an upper and a lower division, as in Labiatae (Mint Family).
UmbelA rounded or flat topped cluster of flowers on stems that radiate from the tip of the main stem. A compound umbel has smaller umbels at the ends of the radiating stems.
UnisexualA flower that possesses either stamens or carpels but not both.
VeinA rib of tissue, usually in a leaf.
VenationThe arrangement of veins within a leaf.
VI(I)Introduced to U.S. Virgin Islands
VI(N)Native to U.S. Virgin Islands
VI(NI)Native and Introduced to U.S. Virgin Islands
VinePlants that climb by twining, tendrils, or clinging.
WeedAny plant growing where it is not wanted.
WhorledThree or more leaves or flowers arranged in a circle around a stem.
WingA thin extension of a plant part, as of a branch or dry fruit.
Winter annualAn annual species that arises from seed in the summer or fall of one calendar year and completes its life cycle in the spring or summer of the following calendar year. E.g. Texas Bluebonnet, Lupinus texensis.
XylemWater-conducting tissue of vascular plants.
YTYukon
ZygomorphicRefers to flowers capable of division by only one plane of symmetry (bilaterally symmetric).
ZygoteA reproductive cell formed by the fusion of two gametes.
Results 145 through 180 of 271