Botanical Nerd Word: Vinaceous
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…
Category Archives: Word of the Week
Botanical Nerd Word: Radicant
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…
Botanical Nerd Word: Vimineous
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.,…
Botanical Nerd Word: Holarctic
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…
Botanical Nerd Word: Culm
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…
Botanical Nerd Word: Cladode
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)….
Botanical Nerd Word: Resin
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…
Botanical Nerd Word: Leaf Scar
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…
Botanical Nerd Word: Caespitose
Caespitose: Growing in dense tufts.* Many grasses have a caespitose growth habit, including these Miscanthus plants. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An illustrated…
Botanical Nerd Word: Strict
Strict: Very straight and upright, not at all spreading.* This arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) in the Knot Garden has a very upright growth habit. *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W….