A
Alternate leaves: Leaves positioned singly along the length of the stem and not in pairs or whorls
Anther: pollen-containing structure that is part of the stamen
Aquatic: water-based environment
B
Basal leaves: leaves that grow out of the base of the stem
Berry: juicy or fleshy fruiting structure; descended from one ovary
Bilaterally symmetrical: referring to flowers, having one central axis of symmetry
Bract: a modified leaf
C
Calyx: portion of flower consisting of the sepals
Capsule: dry, thin-walled fruit
Carnivorous: having a complete or partial dependence on animal tissue, insects in the case of flowers, for nutrition
Catkin: spike-structure covered with scaly bracts and unisexual flowers
Clasping leaves: stalk-less leaves having bases that completely or partially wraps around the stem
Compound leaves: leaves comprised of leaflets
Compound umbels: Flower clusters comprised of (umbels) smaller flower clusters whose stalk bases are joined at a common point
Corolla: portion of flowers consisting of the petals
Creeper: a trailing, prostrate plant
D
Disk flower: small, often ray-less, flowers of the composite flower head
E
Epiphyte: a self-sustaining plant that grows on another plant
F
Female flower: a flower having pistils but no stamens
Flower head: referring to asters, a radially symmetrical flower cluster comprised of numerous, often rayless, stalk-less flowers
Fruit: seed-bearing structure descended from fertilized ovary or pistil
G
Gland: a substance-secreting structure
H
Herb: plant comprised of soft tissue: not woody or shrub-like
Humus: Soil, composed of partially decomposed organic matter
I
Infloresence: flower cluster
Infructesence: fruit cluster
L
Lanceolate: shaped like a lance; wide at the base, slightly wider in the middle, and tapered to a point at the tip
Leaflet: leaf-like component of a compound leaf
Lobed: protrusions formed by indentations in the margin
M
Male flower: flower having stamens but no pistil
Margin: the surrounding edge (perimeter) of a leaf or petal
O
Oblong: having a stretched, almost rectangular shape
Opposite leaves: leaves positioned along the stem in pairs; leaves stalks originate from a common axis
Ovary: the base of the pistil wherein seeds mature
Ovate: having an egg shape
P
Palmate leaves: leaves having three or more lobes that are spread out, like a hand
Parasite: having complete dependence on another organism for nutrition
Pea flower: characteristic bilaterally symmetrical flower structure of the Pea family; having a broad upper petal (banner/ standard), two lateral petals (wings), and two fused lower petals with an indented line of fusion (keel)
Petal: structural component of the flowering-structure corolla, often colored with highly variable shape
Pinnate leaves: compound leaves comprised on multiple long leaflets along a main leafstalk; feather-like structure
Petiole: leafstalk
Pistil: female reproductive organ; comprised of an ovary, style, and stigma
Pod: dry fruit; often opens to release mature seeds
Pollen: dust-like grains contained in the anther, reproductive medium
R
Radially symmetrical: referring to flowers, having a central point of symmetry on the facial plane of the flower
Ray flower: flowers of a composite flower that line the circumference of the flower head and have a single petal-like ray of fused petals
Reflexed: bent backwards or downwards
Rhizome: underground stem structure; in some cases used for propogation or food storage
Root: water- and nutrient- absorbing, underground structure from which the above-ground portion of the plant extends
Rose hip: fruiting structure of some members of the rose family; smooth, rounded, bearing seed-like fruits
Rosette, basal: crowded, radially symmetrical arrangement of basal leaves
S
Sap: fluid substance contained in plant tissue
Saprophyte: plant dependent on decaying organic matter for nutrition; lacking in chlorophyll
Sepal: structural unit of the calyx; usually green, sometimes petal-like
Sheath: tubular structure surrounding stem and found at leaf axil; sometimes visible as an upraised or discolored band
Shrub: relatively tall, fibrous to woody plant having many stems that arise from the base
Simple leaf: leaf comprised of only one structure; no leaflets (not compound)
Spadix: a spike of flowers
Spathe: modified bract or pair of bracts; surround and sometimes envelop flowers
Spatulate: having a spoon shape
Spike(let): elongated structure on which stalk-less flowers are arranged
Spur: hollow, often hooked projection of a flower structure
Stamen: the male reproductive organ; consisting of a filament topped with and anther
Stem: the main support of a plant; made of soft, fibrous, or woody tissue
Stigma: sticky, pollen catching tip of a style
T
Toothed: referring to leaves, having notched margins
Tuber: underground storage structure; usually very fleshy or floury
U
Umbel: flower cluster comprised of flowers stalks whose bases originate from a common point
W
Whorled: referring to leaves or flowers, positioned along the base of the stem in groups of three or more; petioles or flower stalks originate from a common point