Word of the Week

Force: To cause a plant to bloom out of its normal season or sequence by using horticultural techniques.* Forcing bulbs is easier than most people think. Last November, these Muscari (grape …

Biconvex: Shaped like a lentil, i.e., round and convex on both sides.*   *Pell, S.K., Angell, B. (2016). A botanist’s vocabulary: 1300 terms explained and illustrated. Portland: Timber Press.

Vinaceous: Of the (reddish) colour of wine; wine-coloured.* For great winter interest, plant our native red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) for the bright red branches. *Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Online. Photo: Matt …

Radicant: A root arising from the node of a prostrate stem.* This tangled mat of periwinkle (Vinca) and ivy (Hedera) is smothering native plants in Wilket Creek Ravine. These plants are …

Vimineous: With long, flexible twigs; composed of twigs; twig-like.* This group of alders, willows, and dogwoods growing alongside Wilket Creek are all fairly vimineous. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification …

Holarctic: A geographic distribution all around the northern hemisphere in the arctic, boreal, or north temperate climatic zones, or all three; it need not be completely continuous, just have representation in …

Culm: A hollow or pithy stalk or stem, as in the grasses, sedges, and rushes.* Besides adding winter interest to the garden, grasses provide homes for many native insects which overwinter …

Cladode: A stem with the form and function of a leaf.* The sectional stems of Christmas cactus are examples of cladodes. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An illustrated …

Resin: A highly viscous, sticky, flammable, typically aromatic substance secreted by certain trees (esp. conifers, notably fir and pine) and other plants.* Resin is the sticky substance that’s very hard to …

Leaf Scar: The scar remaining on a twig after a leaf falls.* The shape of the leaf scar, its relation to the new buds, and the number and position of bundle …