Botanical Nerd Word: Mesocarp
Mesocarp: The middle layer of the pericarp of a fruit.* The mesocarp is often the delicious fleshy part of the fruit, such as the edible…
Author Archives: Weston Family Library
Botanical Nerd Word: Exocarp
Exocarp (syn. Epicarp): Outermost layer of the fruit wall (pericarp)* For example, the outer skin of a peach or plum. *Pell, S.K., Angell, B. (2016)….
Botanical Nerd Word: Cone
Cone: A dense cluster of sporophylls on an axis; a strobilus.* *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An illustrated glossary (2nd ed.)….
Botanical Nerd Word: Complanate
Complanate: Flattened* For example, the complanate fruit pods of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An illustrated glossary (2nd…
Botanical Nerd Word: Strobile
Strobile: A cone or an inflorescence resembling a cone, as in hops.* Hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) gets its common name because it’s fruits look just…
Botanical Nerd Word: Hebecarpous
Hebecarpous: With pubescent fruit.* The red, fuzzy fruits of sumac are hebecarpous. Another common example are kiwis. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology:…
Botanical Nerd Word: Hexamerous
Hexamerous: With parts arranged in sets or multiples of six.* This spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) flower has six petals and six stamens. *Harris, J.G., Harris,…
Botanical Nerd Word: Denudate
Denudate: Stripped bare; denuded.* With the cold weather settling in, our deciduous trees have taken on their denudate winter appearance. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001)….
Botanical Nerd Word: Jugate
Jugate: Having parts in pairs.* For example, these pairs of leaflets. *Pell, S.K., Angell, B. (2016). A botanist’s vocabulary: 1300 terms explained and illustrated. Portland:…
Botanical Nerd Word: Hip
Hip: A berry-like structure composed of an enlarged hypanthium surrounding numerous achenes, as in roses.* Rose hips add a nice hint of fall colour and…