Botanical Nerd Word: Microclimate
Microclimate: The atmospheric characteristics prevailing within a small space, usually in the layer near the ground that is affected by the ground surface.* The sheltered corner…
Tag Archives: spring
Botanical Nerd Word: Achlamydeous
Achlamydeous: Having neither sepals nor petals.* Willows (Salix spp.) produce a type of flower called a catkin. They have no petals or sepals. *A technical glossary…
Botanical Nerd Word: Hypogeal germination
Hypogeal germination: Seed germination in which the cotyledons remain below the soil surface.* The cotyledons (seed leaves) of peas stay below ground. The first thing to…
Botanical Nerd Word: Ensiform
Ensiform: Lance- or sword-shaped with the widest point toward the base. Synonyms: gladiate, lanceolate.* Ensiform leaves are common in plants in the iris family (Iridaceae), such…
Botanical Nerd Word: Anther
Anther: The terminal portion of a stamen of a flowering plant. The pollen sacs containing pollen are borne on the anther.* In this image, the…
Word of the Week: Geophyte
Geophyte: A plant that survives an unfavourable period by means of underground food-storage organs (e.g. rhizomes, tubers, and bulbs). Buds arise from these to produce new…
Word of the Week: Galochrous
Galochrous: Milk-white in colour. Galanthus (snowdrops) are blooming in the garden. The genus name Galanthus comes from Greek gala, milk + anthos, flower. Allaby, M. (2006). A dictionary…
Word of the Week: Anthesis
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,…
Spring in the Garden
Click on the images below to enjoy a captioned spring photography tour of the Toronto Botanical Garden. All images Copyright Janet Davis 2008-2012.