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,…
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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.,…
Botanical Nerd Word: Calyptra
Calyptra: Hood or cap, as with the fused calyx of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) or onions (Allium)* The papery covering of these Allium blooms is called…
Botanical Nerd Word: Flabellate
Flabellate/Flabelliform: Shaped like a fan.* Ginkgo trees are easily identified by their flabellate leaves. *Allaby, M. (2006). A dictionary of plant sciences (Revised ed.). Oxford: Oxford…
Botanical Nerd Word: Recurved
Recurved: Curved backward toward the point of attachment.* The petals of this lily are recurved. *Pell, S.K., Angell, B. (2016). A botanist’s vocabulary: 1300 terms…