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Botanical Glossary

Glossary of commonly used botanical terms and their definitions.

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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.
Compound leafA leaf that is completely separated into two or more leaflets.
Compound PistilA pistil made up of two or more partially or completely united carpels.
CordateHeart-shaped, with the point at the apex.
CorkBark tissue that is harvested for commercial use.cork.jpg
CormA short, fleshy underground stem, broader than high, producing stems from the base and leaves and flower stems from the top.
CorollaThe petals collectively; usually colored or showy. These may be distinct or united to form a cup, trumpet, tube, or two-lipped body.
CorymbA flat-topped or convex flower cluster, with the lower or outer stems longer; the flowers on these stems open first.
CrenateHaving rounded teeth along the margin.
CulmThe hollow stem of grasses and bamboos.
CuneateLeaf shape narrowly triangular, wider at the apex and tapering toward the base.
CuspidateTipped with a sharp firm point.
CymeA usually flattish inflorescence in which the central or terminal flower matures first.
DeciduousHaving leaves that all fall off at the end of the growing season, or at least wither up and become lifeless.
DecumbentLying on the ground but having an ascending tip.
DeltoidTriangular.
DentateSharply toothed, with the teeth pointing straight out from the margin.
DenticulateFinely toothed.
DioeciousWith male and female reproductive structures on separate plants.
Disc flowersThe inner tubular flowers on the heads of Asteraceae (Sunflower Family).
DistalToward the top of a plant or the tip of a plant part. Cf, Proximal.
DiurnalOpen during the day and closed at night.
DrupeFruit with exocarp or skin, fleshy mesocarp and hardened endocarp with seed inside.
EllipticShaped like an ellipse, resembling a flattened circle.
EmarginateHaving a shallow notch at the tip.
EMPEastern Mountains and Piedmont - NWPL Region
EndangeredAn animal or plant species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
EndemicOccurring naturally only in a single geographic area.
EntireSaid of margins without teeth or lobes.
EscapeA cultivated plant that has gone wild.
EvergreenRemaining green and leafy through the winter.
FACFacultative - Hydrophyte. Occurs in wetlands and non-wetlands.
FAC*Facultative - Hydrophyte. Occurs in wetlands and non-wetlands. Occurs only in the South Pacific Islands subregion.
FACUFacultative Upland - Nonhydrophyte. Usually occurs in non-wetlands, but may occur in wetlands.
FACU*Facultative Upland - Nonhydrophyte. Usually occurs in non-wetlands, but may occur in wetlands. Occurs only in the South Pacific Islands subregion.
FACWFacultative Wetland - Hydrophyte. Usually occurs in wetlands, but may occur in non-wetlands.
FACW*Facultative Wetland - Hydrophyte. Usually occurs in wetlands, but may occur in non-wetlands. Occurs only in the South Pacific Islands subregion.
FalcateSickle-shaped.
FascicledIn a tight bundle, several leaves appearing to arise from a common point.
FernAny of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants (pteridophytes) having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores.
FibrousNetwork of fine roots with no central dominant root.
FilamentStalk of stamen; bears the anther.
FloretA small flower, especially one in a dense cluster.
FloretsSmall or reduced flowers.
Flower headA dense arrangement of flowers arising from a common point, as in Apiaceae, or as in Asteraceae where many ray flowers and/or disc flowers make up one "flower head." See also, Capitulum.
FNAFlora of North America.
FollicleDry, dehiscent fruit.
FrondThe leaf of a fern.
FruitThe seed-bearing part of a plant.
GenusA group of related species classified within a family.
GlabrousSmooth; hairless.
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