Botanical Nerd Word: Epizoochory
Epizoochory: The inadvertent dispersal of seeds on the outside of animals. Dog owners are well aware of the dreaded burs that become entangled in their…
Author Archives: Weston Family Library
Botanical Nerd Word: Locule
Locule: A chamber within an ovary, anther, sporangium, or fruit; in ovary and fruit, usually corresponding to a carpel.* In this tomato cross section, the…
Botanical Nerd Word: Pleiomerous
Pleiomerous: Having more than the usual number of parts in a floral whorl; e.g. roses (Rosa) that have a proliferation of petals.* In nature, roses…
Botanical Nerd Word: Climacteric
Climacteric: The phase of increased respiration found at the ripening of fruit and at senescence.* Fruits such as bananas and tomatoes are climacteric and can ripen…
Botanical Nerd Word: Ligulate
Ligulate: With a ligule; strap-shaped.* Each ‘petal’ on these flower heads is, in fact, a tiny separate flower called a ray floret. Each ray floret…
Botanical Nerd Word: Cucullate
Cucullate: Hooded; shaped like a hood or cowl.* These Aconitum (monkshood) in the Garden Hall Courtyard have hooded flowers. *OED Online. Oxford University Press, June 2017.
Botanical Nerd Word: Drupe
Drupe: A fleshy, indehiscent fruit with a stony endocarp surrounding a usually single seed, as in a peach or cherry.* Summer is the time for…
Botanical Nerd Word: Umbrageous
Umbrageous: Forming or affording shade; shady.* There’s nothing like enjoying an umbrageous old tree in the summer. *OED Online. Oxford University Press.
Botanical Nerd Word: Whorl
Whorl: A ring-like arrangement of similar parts arising from a common point or node; a verticil.* The leaves of this Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s root) are arranged in whorls…
Botanical Nerd Word: Gladiate
Gladiate: Sword-like in appearance.* The sword-shaped leaves of this Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ are almost as striking as its bright red flowers. *Allaby, M. (2006). A dictionary…