Botanical Nerd Word: Areola

Close up of cactus showing spines arising from areolae.

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 on a leaf.

*Lamb, B. M. (1991). Letts guide to cacti of the world. London: Letts.