white Archives - Toronto Botanical Garden

Dame's rocket (hesperis matronalis) bloom showing its 4 petals arranged in a cross shape

Botanical Nerd Word: Cruciate

Cruciate (cruciform): Cross-shaped, used especially of the flowers of the Brassicaceae family.* The 4-petalled flowers of Brassicaceae (mustard family) plants, such as this dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) are characteristically arranged in …

Word of the Week

Botanical Nerd Word: Vespertine

Vespertine: Opening, or functioning, in the evening.* Datura flowers tend to open at dusk – a great choice for an evening garden! *Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An …

Snowdrops blooming in the Westview Terrace

Word of the Week

Botanical Nerd Word: Scape

Scape: A leafless flower stalk.* Snowdrops (Galanthus) produce their flowers at the end of scapes. Garlic also produces scapes which are edible and delicious! *Allaby, M. (2006). A dictionary of plant …

Word of the Week

Botanical Nerd Word: Carina

Carina: A keel or ridge.* These paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) have keeled flower stalks with a prominent ridge running the length of each side. Paperwhites are commonly forced to bloom indoors in the …