Botanical Nerd Word: Umbo
Umbo: A blunt or rounded protuberance, as on the ends of the scales of some pine cones. Some pines have very pronounced umbos that can…
Author Archives: Weston Family Library
Botanical Nerd Word: Lamina
Lamina: The usually flattened, blade-like portion of a leaf, as distinct from the petiole and leaf base. The shape of the lamina and the nature of…
Botanical Nerd Word: Pepo
Pepo: Unilocular berry with hard exocarp, characteristic of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae).* The pumpkin is a classic example of a pepo. In fact, the species most…
Botanical Nerd Word: Hysteranthous
Hysteranthous: Of plants: Having the flowers appearing before the leaves.* This Colchicum produces flowers in the fall but its leaves won’t appear until next spring. *OED Online….
Botanical Nerd Word: Capitulum
Capitulum: An inflorescence of sessile flowers borne on a flattened and expanded portion of the inflorescence axis; the inflorescence of the sunflower family (Asteraceae).* All…
Botanical Nerd Word: Polystachyous
Polystachyous: With many spikes, as in a grass with many ears or spikes.* Moor grass (Molinia) growing in the Arrival Courtyard. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001)….
Botanical Nerd Word: Infructescence
Infructescence: Branched or unbranched axis upon which fruits are arranged.* A plant’s infructescence follows the form of its inflorescence (arrangement of flowers). *Pell, S.K., Angell, B….
Botanical Nerd Word: Ballistic dispersal
Ballistic dispersal: (syn. ballochory) Mode of dispersal by which the diaspores are actively or passively catapulted away from the plant. This can either happen arbitrarily or…
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…
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…