Word of the Week

Dehiscent: (De-his-cent) Bursting or splitting open at maturity. Usually used of a fruit that bursts open to release its seeds (e.g. pea pod).* The pods of dog-strangling vine are dehiscent fruits, …

Follicle: A dry, dehiscent fruit composed of a single carpel and opening along a single side, as a milkweed pod.*   *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An illustrated …

Abscission: (ab-ˈsi-zhən) The controlled separation of leaves, flowers, and fruit from plants.* In autumn, leaves detach at the abscission zone, a layer of cells at the base of a leaf …

Torose: Cylindrical with alternate swellings and contractions.* The Japanese pagoda trees (Sophora japonica) in the garden are covered with their characteristic torose pods.   *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification …

Anthocyanic: Containing anthocyanin pigments.* Anthocyanins give plants their purple, blue, and scarlet colours. They are responsible for the vibrant reds and purples we see in some autumn leaves. Plants such …