Alternate
Refers to leaves arising singly along a stem, not in pairs. |
Anther
The pollen-producing end part of the stamen. |
Axil
The angle where a leaf attaches to the stem. |
Banner
The uppermost petal in a Pea Family flower. |
Bilateral symmetry
Having mirror image right and left halves, like a face. |
Bloom
A whitish powdery coating on a stem or fruit. Wipes off easily. |
Bract
A modified leaf immediately under a flower. Collectively, an involucre of bracts. |
Calyx
The outer ring of flower parts. Called sepals if separate, a calyx tube if joined. Usually green but may be petal-like. |
Capsule
A dry fruit with 1 or more compartments. |
Clasping
Refers to a leaf with a base that partly surrounds the stem. |
Compound
Refers to a leaf made up of 3 or more separate leaflets. |
Corolla
The inner ring of flower parts. Called petals if separate, a corolla tube if united. |
Disc
The round center of a composite flower. Made up of numerous tiny tubular disc flowers. Usually surrounded by flat, strap-like ray flowers. |
Dissected
Refers to a deeply cut leaf, the cuts not reaching the midline. |
Elliptic
Refers to a leaf that is egg-shaped with the widest part near the middle. |
Entire
Refers to a leaf with margins that are not toothed. |
Filament
The slender stalk-like part of the stamen. Bears an anther at the tip. |
Head
A crowded cluster of stalk less or near-stalk less flowers. |
Herb
A non-woody plant. ie., not a tree, bush or woody vine. |
Involucre
(of bracts) Circular row(s) of bracts supporting a flower. |
Keel
The united 2 lowest petals of a Pea Family flower. |
Lance-shaped
Refers to a leaf that is much longer than wide and pointed at the tip. |
Leaflet
An individual part of a compound leaf. |
Linear
Refers to a long, very narrow leaf with parallel sides. |
Lip
A division of the end of a corolla tube. May itself be lobed. |
Lobed
Refers to a leaf with indentations in the margin that do not reach the midline if pinnately lobed, or the midpoint if palmately lobed. |
Node
The place on a stem where leaves or branches arise. |
Opposite
Refers to leaves that are in pairs on the stem, one leaf on each side. |
Ovary
The swollen seed-producing base of the pistil. |
Ovate
Refers to leaves that are egg-shaped and widest near the base. |
Palmate
Describes leaf lobes or leaflets that radiate from a center, like fingers from a hand. |
Petal
A segment of the corolla. May be separate or joined at the base. |
Pinnate
Describes lobes or leaflets arranged along a midline, like the parts of a feather. |
Pistil
The female organ of a flower. Made up of the ovary, a slender stalk (style) and a tip (stigma). |
Pistillate
Refers to a female flower, having a pistil but no functional stigmas. |
Raceme
A long cluster of stalked flowers along a central stem. |
Radial symmetry
Symmetry around a central axis, like the spokes of a wheel. |
Rays
Flat, strap-like flowers that surround the central disc in a composite flower. |
Rosette, basal
A crowded circle of leaves around the base of a stem. |
Sepal
A separate segment of the calyx. Usually green but may be petal-like. Corresponds to a calyx lobe if the calyx is undivided. |
Sessile
Refers to a leaf, flower, or fruit that has no stalk. |
Shrub
A relatively low woody plant having several branches from near the base. |
Spadix
(Arum Family) A club-like stalk covered with tiny "flowers". |
Spathe
(Arum Family) A leaf-like sheath enfolding the spadix. |
Spike
A long cluster of un-stalked flowers along a central stem. |
Spur
A hollow tubular extension of the corolla. |
Stamen
The male organ of a flower, made up of a slender stalk (filament) tipped with a pollen-bearing anther. |
Staminate
Refers to a male flower, having stamens but no pistil. |
Standard
A petal of an iris. |
Stigma
The tip of the pistil. May be forked or knob-like. |
Stipule
A small leaf-like structure at the base of a leaf stalk. |
Style
The slender stalk of the pistil, bearing the stigma at its tip. |
Succulent
Refers to a fleshy, watery stem or leaf. |
Toothed
Refers to a leaf with a saw tooth edge. |
Tuber
Fleshy, enlarged part of an underground stem (like a potato). |
Umbel
An umbrella-like cluster of flowers, the flower stalks arising from one point. |
Whorl
Three or more leaves radiating from the same level on a stem. |
Wing
A thin membranous structure extending along a stem, leaf-stalk or seed. Also, a lateral petal of a Pea Family flower. |