Botanical Nerd Word: Anemoballism
Anemoballism: (Greek: anemos = wind + ballistes = to throw): form of dispersal in which the diaspores [seeds] are subject to indirect effects of wind, i.e. the wind does not transport …
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Botanical Nerd Word: Coma
Coma: 1) A tuft of hairs, especially on the tip of a seed; 2) the tuft of bracts on a pineapple; 3) the head of a tree* The seeds of …
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Botanical Nerd Word: Pome
Pome: A fruit in which the seeds are protected by a tough carpel wall and the entire fruit is embedded in a fleshy receptacle. In an apple, the carpel wall …
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Botanical Nerd Word: Vagile
Vagile: (From Latin vagus wandering, straying). Of an organism or group of organisms: having the ability to disperse or be dispersed in an environment.* The seeds of this plant, Anemone …
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Botanical Nerd Word: Etiolated
Etiolated: Of a plant or plant part: in a state of etiolation; esp. weakened and abnormally pale as a result of being grown in darkness or reduced light.* This scented …
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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 just beginning to ripen in …
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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 at TBG. Read more about …
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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 plant sciences (Revised ed.). Oxford: …
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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 the area between the veins …
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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 central Asia but is now …
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