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Botanical Glossary

Glossary of commonly used botanical terms and their definitions.

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termdefinitionimage
AcaulescentWithout a distinct stem.
AcheneA dry, usually one-seeded, indehiscent fruit.
AcornA usually one-seeded (occasionally two-seeded) nut enclosed in a hard, leathery shell and subtended by a scaly cup. The fruit of any species in the genera, Quercus or Lithocarpus.
ActinomorphicRefers to flowers that can be divided into equal halves along any axis (radially symmetric).
AcuminateGradually tapering to a point.
AcutePointed apex with margins that form an angle between 45 and 90 degrees.
AGCPAtlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain - NWPL Region
AggregateFruit developed from multiple pistils in a single flower, e.g. raspberry (Rubus spp.).
AlternatePlaced singly at different heights on the stem; not opposite or whorled.alternate.jpg
AndroeciumCollective term for the stamens of one flower.
AnemophilousWind pollinated.
AnnualA species that grows from seed, flowers, fruits and dies within one year's time. See also, Winter Annual.
AntherThe specialized, pollen-bearing structure of a plant's flower.
ApexThe topmost or distal portion of a plant or plant part.
ApicalSituated at or near the tip.
ApiculateEnding abruptly with a sharp, flexible tip.
AppressedPressed or lying flat against something.
AreoleA spot in the form of a pit or a raised area on the surface of a cactus through which spines or other structures grow.
ArilAn outer covering or appendage of some seeds.
AristateEnding in a stiff, bristle-like point.
AsymmetricLacking symmetry, e.g., the two halves of a leaf blade not alike.
AttenuateA tapering leaf base with concave margins that form an angle less than 45 degrees.
AWArid West - NWPL Region
AxilThe upper angle between two structures or organs, as where a leaf or branch joins the stem.
AxillaryGrowing from an axil.
BarkTough outer covering of trunks or stems of trees, shrubs, and vines.
Basal leavesThe leaves that are concentrated near the base of the main stem.
BeardA tuft or line of hairs, as on certain petals.
BerryA fleshy, indehiscent fruit with few to many seeds.
BiennialA plant that takes two years to complete the flowering cycle. Typically it grows vegetatively the first year and flowers and fruits during the second year before dying.
Bilateral symmetryUsually referencing flower structure, descripes a plant part or parts that may be divided along a single plane forming two mirror-image halves; zygomorphic, irregular flower.
BipinnateTwice-pinnate.
BisexualA flower with both stamens and pistils.
BractA reduced or modified leaf occurring at the base of a flower or group of flowers. Bracts are sometimes arranged in rows, like shingles on a roof, usually closely cupping the blossoms of Asteraceae (Sunflower Family); cf. Phyllary. Sometimes brightly colored or petallike, as in Castilleja spp. (paintbrush), or threadlike, as in Daucus carota (Queen Anne's Lace).
BranchletA small branch.
BristlyHaving stiff, rigid, rather thick hairs on the surface of stems or leaves.
BudA small cell-mass in the process of dividing from a stem to form a flower, leaf or another stem.
BulbA thick, rounded, underground organ consisting of layered, fleshy leaves and membranes.
Cactus/SucculentA plant having leaves and/or stems which are thick and fleshy.
CalyxThe sepals taken collectively. These may be distinct, or joined to form a cup or tube; they may be of any color but are usually green. When the calyx is present, it encloses the other parts of the flower in bud.
CampanulateBell-shaped.
CapitulescenceThe inflorescence of a capitulum-bearing plant as in many species in Asteraceae.
CapitulumAn inflorescence composed of multiple florets arranged in a flower head and surrounded by an involucre of bracts as found on many species in Asteraceae.
CapsuleA dry fruit that splits open along three or more lines.capsule.jpg
CaryopsisA dry, one-seeded fruit (achene) with ovary wall united to the seed coat, characteristic of grasses.
CatkinA spikelike flower cluster that bears scaly bracts and petalless, unisexual flowers.
CaudateTapering gradually into a long taillike tip
ClaspingLeaf partially encircles the stem.
Complete flowerA flower with sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil present.
CompoundA leaf divided into two or more leaflets.
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