Word of the Week

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 …

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: …

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 …

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 …

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 many others all have sympetalous …

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 area which have connate-perfoliate leaves.   …

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 arrangement in the bud. *Schmid, …

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 are examples of pests which …

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, M. (2006). A dictionary of …

Fascicle: Bundle or tuft, usually bound at the base by a tight clustering of thin scales; needles of pines, uniquely among conifers, are arranged in fascicles. * This Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine) …