Botanical Nerd Word: Tussock
Tussock: A tuft or clump of grasses or sedges.* Tussocks of grasses blowing in the breeze are a mainstay of the autumn garden. *Harris, J.G., Harris,…
Author Archives: Weston Family Library
Botanical Nerd Word: Pyriform
Pyriform: Shaped like a pear.* Although pears are the most obvious example, pyriform can be used to refer to any pear-shaped fruit, such as pear-shaped…
Botanical Nerd Word: Limbate
Limbate: Bordered, as in a leaf or flower in which one colour forms an edging or margin around another.* Many variegated plants follow this two-tone…
Botanical Nerd Word: Orthostichous
Orthostichous: With parts arranged in straight ranks or rows.* The individual flowers in the flowering spikes of this obedient plant (Physostegia) are arranged in straight,…
Botanical Nerd Word: Matutinal
Matutinal: Functioning in the morning, as in flowers which open in the morning.* Morning glories get their name because their flowers open in early morning….
Botanical Nerd Word: Vespertine
Vespertine: Opening, or functioning, in the evening.* Datura flowers tend to open at dusk – a great choice for an evening garden! *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W….
Botanical Nerd Word: Divaricate
Divaricate: Widely spreading, usually in reference to branching.* Plants with a divaricating growth habit often appear very ‘full’ as their branches spread widely and intersect with…
Botanical Nerd Word: Ossiculus
Ossiculus: The stone or pit of a drupe; a pyrene.* Peaches, apricots, cherries, and plums are all examples of drupes. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification…
Botanical Nerd Word: Septum
Septum: (plural septa) wall between chambers (locules) in an ovary or fruit.* In the cross section of this tomato, you can see the septa separating…
Botanical Nerd Word: Node
Node: The position on the stem where leaves or branches originate.* Dog-strangling vine, pictured above, produces two leaves at each node along the stem. *Harris, J.G.,…