For all things gardening
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 terminology: An illustrated glossary (2nd …
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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 the seedy locules. *Pell, S.K., …
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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., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification …
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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 a calyptra. It splits and …
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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 University Press.
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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 explained and illustrated. Portland: Timber …
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Maculate: Marked with splotches or dots.* Many plants are grown for their decorative spotted foliage, such as Pulmonaria and Aucuba. *Pell, S.K., Angell, B. (2016). A botanist’s vocabulary: 1300 terms explained …
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Lyrate: [of leaves] Pinnatifid with the terminal lobe rounded and much larger than the subtending lobes.* The word lyrate is used to describe leaves that are shaped like a lyre. …
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Sinus: The portion of a leaf margin that dips in between two lobes or crenations.* The alternating sinuses and lobes around the margins of maple leaves give them their distinctive shape. …
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Scorpioid: Shaped like a scorpion’s tail, as in some coiled cymes.* Symphytum (comfrey) produces flowers in a scorpioid cyme. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An illustrated glossary (2nd …
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