Botanical Nerd Word: Syconium
Syconium: A multiple fruit developed from numerous flowers imbedded in a fleshy receptacle, as in the fig.* The fruits on the Ficus carica (hardy fig) are…
Author Archives: Weston Family Library
Botanical Nerd Word: Biophilia
Biophilia: A love of or empathy with the natural world, especially when seen as a human instinct.* These monarchs were spotted enjoying the Entry Garden Walk…
Botanical Nerd Word: Flavescent
Flavescent: Yellow, or becoming yellow.* These Cercis canadensis (redbud) leaves are just beginning to take on their yellow fall colour. *Allaby, M. (2006). A dictionary of…
Botanical Nerd Word: Areola
Areola: The area or organ from which spines, flowers, or new branches appear.* The term areola can also refer to any small, well-defined space such as…
Botanical Nerd Word: Geminate
Geminate: In equal pairs like twins.* These berries of Lonicera tatarica (Tartarian honeysuckle) grow in pairs, slightly united at their base. L. tatarica is native to…
Botanical Nerd Word: Sympetalous
Sympetalous: With the petals united, at least near the base.* Plants such as petunias (Petunia spp.), Calibrachoa, morning glories (Ipomoea spp.), flowering tobacco (Nicotiana spp.), and…
Botanical Nerd Word: Connate-perfoliate
Connate-perfoliate: With the bases of opposite leaves fused around the stem.* Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), and boneset, (Eupatorium perfoliatum), are both native plants in this…
Botanical Nerd Word: Convolute
Convolute (from Latin convolutus): Rolled up, as leaves before unfurling.* Hosta leaves exhibit graceful spirals as they open in the spring thanks to their convolute…
Word of the Week: Stylet
Stylet: Any sharp, piercing, needle-like organ such as those that form the mouth parts of bugs, fleas, and mosquitoes.* Mealy bugs, scale insects, and aphids…
Word of the Week: Anthesis
Anthesis: 1. The time of flowering in a plant. 2. The opening of a flower bud.* Anthesis for these crocuses is right about now! *Allaby,…