Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Achene:	A fruit that bears a single seed; is small, hard and dry.
Alternate:	Describes structures (i.e. leaves) that stem from branch individually rather than directly across from other structures.
Anastomosing:	Running apart and back together at irregular intervals.
Anther:	The pollen-bearing end of the stem.
Axil:	Area between stem and the branch or leaf.
Axillary:	Stemming from axil.

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B

Basal:	Attached to the base of the stem.
Bract:	A small leaf structure specialized to associate with flower/inflorescence.
Burr:	A prickly outer layer of some fruit.

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C

Calyx:	Outermost ring of flower pars; surrounds petals; often green.
Capsule:	A fruiting structure that dries and splits to release seed(s).
Catkin:	Cylindrical, flowering spike; often drooping.
Compound leaves:	Leaves composed of multiple leaflets.
Corolla:	Flower petals and calyx.

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E

Entire margins:

Margins smooth; "untoothed".

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F

Furrowed:

Having lengthwise channels.

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H

Herb:	Plant lacking woody parts.
Herbaceous:	Describes a plant that is an herb.

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I

Incised:	Having cuts between lobes.
Inflorescence:	A grouping of flowers.

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K

Key:	Fruit, usually of maples, with one seed an a membraneous wing.

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L

Lanceolate:	Widest between petiole and middle; longer than wide; base may be rounded.
Leaf scar:	Mark left on branch after leaf has fallen.
Leaflet:	One subunit of a compound leaf.
Lenticels:	Small pores on the stem that function like stomata.
Lobe:	A protruding segment; larger than a tooth; often rounded.

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M

Margins:

Edges.

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N

Naturalized:	Describes an exotic species that can reproduce in its alien range as if it were native.
Node:	Part of stem where leaf or whorl is or was attached.

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O

Obovate:	Egg-shaped; narrow end closest to branch.
Opposite:	Describes structures (i.e. leaves) that stem from branch in opposing pairs.
Ovary:	Ovule-bearing part of pistil.
Ovate:	Egg-shaped; wide end closest to branch.

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P

Palmate:	Arranged like fingers around a palm; all parts radiating from same origin.
Pendulous:	Hanging.
Perianth:	A structure consisting of all petals and sepals.
Petiole:	Stalk connecting leaf to stem.
Pinnate:	Feather-like arrangement; two sets of parts sticking out laterally from opposite sides of a common axis.
Pistil:	Female, seed-bearing flower part.

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R

Radial Symmetry:	Symmetry as radiating out from a common center, like the spokes of a wheel.
Rhizome:	Stem growing under and parallel to the ground's surface.
Rosette:	A circular, overlapping grouping of leaves.

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S

Schizocarp:	A fruit split into multiple single-seed bearing sections in maturity.
Sepal:	Segment of a calyx present when calyx is divided.
Sessile:	Stalkless.
Simple:	A single blade that is undivided into leaflets.
Spathe:	Bract(s) partly sheathing flowering structure.
Stamen:	Male, pollen-bearing component of a flower.
Stipule:	Small outgrowth(s) at base of petiole. Often paired.
Stolon:	A creeping horizontal stem that can take root and by which plant can vegetatively reproduce.
Stomata:	Pores in leaves used for transpiration.

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T

Tendril:	A thin, twining structure; can be the attachment point of climbing plants.
Tooth:	Small, generally pointy projection.
Toothed:	Having edges with small, tooth-like projections.

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V

Vegetatively:

Aesexually.

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W

Whorl:	A group of leaves growing out of same node.
Winged:	Having thin, wing-like projections.
Woody:	Any plant with a stem that persists year-round and is made of wood.