Glossary of botanical terms

This glossary of botanical terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to botany and plants in general. Terms of plant morphology are included here as well as at the more specific Glossary of plant morphology and Glossary of leaf morphology. For other related terms, see Glossary of phytopathology, Glossary of lichen terms, and List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names.

A


ab-:

abaxial:

abort:

abscission:

abscission zone:

acaulescent:

accrescent:

accumbent:

-aceae:

achene:

acicular:

acropetal:

acrophyll:

acrostichoid:

actino-:

actinodromous:

actinomorphic:

aculeate:

acumen:

acuminate:

acute: Sharply pointed, but not drawn out, with straight sides approaching the point. Contrast. See also Leaf shape. Converging at an angle of less than 90°. Contrast.

ad-:

adaxial:

adelphia:

adelphous:

adherent:

adnate:

adventitious:

adventive:

aerial:

aestivation:

aff., (affinis):

aggregate fruit:

agochoric:

agricultural weed:

agriophyte:

agrophic:

agrostology:

The scientific study of grasses, in the strictest sense only those species which are members of the family Poaceae. Broader usages sometimes also include grass-like or species from the families Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, and Typhaceae.

alate:

albumen:

albuminous:

-ales:

alien:

alkaloid:

allelopathy:

allopatric:

alternate:

alternipetalous:

ament:

amphitropous:

amplexicaul:

amylum star:

anastomose:

anastomosis:

anatropous:

ancipital:

androdioecious:

androecium:

androgynophore:

androgynous:

androphore:

andromonoecious:

anemophilous:

anemophily:

angiosperm:

anisomery:

anisotomic:

annual:

annulus: A ring-like structure; in the form of a ring. bristles are sometimes attached to a ring called an annulus or disk at the top of the beak. In some grains, the exine around the apertures is either thicker or thinner. In pores, this border is termed an annulus. Certain flowers have ring-like constrictions at the mouth of the flower, e.g. in Huernia and Aristolochia. A ring of specialized cells on the sporangium.

anterior:

anthemoid:

anther:

antheridium:

antheridiophore:

antherode:

anthesis: (of a flower) The period during which is presented and/or the is receptive. (of a flowering plant) The period during which flowers in anthesis are present. Not defined for some cases, such as when pollen is released in the bud.

anthocarp:

anthophore:

anticlinal:

antrorse:

apetalous:

apex:

aphananthous:

aphlebia:

aphyllous:

apical:

apiculate:

apiphily:

apo-:

apocarpous:

apomixis:

apomorphy:

apopetalous:

apophyllous:

apophysis: The external part of a. An outgrowth of an organ or an enlargement of a.

appendage:

appendiculate:

appressed:

aquatic plant:

arachnoid:

arborescent:

arboretum:

archaeophyte:

archegonium:

archegoniophore:

arctotoid:

areolate:

areole: A space between the threads of a net, e.g. that part of a surface defined by each of the elements of a network; as with cacti, the area between the veinlets of a leaf. A structure on the stem of a cactus, morphologically a specialised branch; the region of a cactus upon which s, s, and flowers are borne.

aril:

aristate:

article:

articulate:

ascending: (of a ) Spreading horizontally, then directed upward; an ascending stem is more or less near its base, then. (of an ) Attached somewhat above the base.

ascidiate:

asexual:

asperulous:

asymmetrical:

attenuate:

auricle:

auriculate:

autogamous:

awn: Any long, bristle-like. In the Poaceae, an appendage terminating or on the back of s or s of some grass s. In the Geraniaceae, the part of the that remains attached to the that separates from the carpophore (column). A generally straight, stiff element, varying from stiffly bristle-like to hard and needle-like. In Strophanthus, the awn is the beak of the, of the  hairs.

axil:

axile:

axillary:

axis:

B


baccate:

baculiform:

barb:

barbed:

barbellate:

bark:

basal:

basifixed:

basipetal:

bathyphyll:

beak:

berry:

bi-:

biennial:

bifid:

bifoliate:

bifusiform:

bilabiate:

bilateral: Having two distinguishable sides, such as the two faces of a leaf. Arranged on opposite sides, e.g. on a ; Compare ' and '. Bilaterally symmetrical, as in a leaf with a symmetrical outline.

biloculate:

binomial:

binomial nomenclature:

bipinnate:

bipinnatisect:

bisexual:

bitegmic:

biternate:

bivalve:

blade:

bloom:

bole:

bostrychoid:

bract:

bracteate:

bracteole:

bracteolate:

bracteose:

bractlet:

branchlet:

brevideciduous:

bristle:

brochidodromous:

brochus:

bryophyte:

bulb:

bulbel:

bulbil:

bulblet:

bullate: Having a rounded or blister-like appearance; arched or vaulted. (of a leaf) Having arched leaf tissue between each lateral vein, i.e. the veins appear depressed in the leaf surface.

burl:

burr: A prickly. A rough or prickly propagule consisting of a or fruit and associated floral parts or s.

buttress root:

C


caducous:

caespitose:

calcarate:

calcareous:

calceolate:

calcicole:

callose:

callus:

calyciflorous:

calycophyll:

calyculate:

calyculus:

calyptra:

calyx:

calyx tube:

cambium:

campanulate:

camptodromous:

campylotropous:

canaliculate:

canescent:

canopy:

capillary:

capitate:

capitulum:

capsule:

carduoid:

carina:

carinal canal:

carneous:

carnose, carnous:

Caropodium:

carpel:

carpellary:

carpopodium:

cartilaginous:

caruncle:

caryopsis:

Casparian strip:

cassideous:

castaneous:

casual alien:

cataphyll:

catenate:

catkin:

caudate:

caudex:

caudiciform:

caulescent:

cauliflory:

cauline:

caulirosulate:

cell:

cenanthy:

centrifixed:

ceraceous:

cernua:

cespitose:

chamber:

channelled:

chartaceous:

chasmogamous:

chasmophyte:

chimera:

chiropterophilous:

chlorophyll:

chloroplast:

chlorosis:

cilia:

cinereous:

circinate:

cirrhose:

cirrus:

cladode:

class:

clathrate:

clavate:

clavuncula:

claw:

cleistogamous:

climber:

climbing:

cline:

clone:

coalescent:

cochleariform:

cochleate:

coenobium:

coenocyte:

coleoptile:

coleorhiza:

collenchyma:

colleter:

columella:

column: A structure extending above the and incorporating the and s also known as the, e.g. in orchids and milkweeds. In grasses, the lower, stouter, and usually twisted part of an, distinct from the slender upper part or bristle.

columnar:

coma: A tuft of hairs from or at one or both ends of some seeds, e.g. in Strophanthus, Asclepias, or Alstonia. Sterile s, e.g. in Curcuma, Ananas, or Eucomis. Sterile s, e.g. in Muscari and Leopoldia, at the of some. A tuft of hairs at the base of some flowers, e.g. in Pfaffia gnaphalioides. A tuft of hairs at the apex or base of some s. An tuft of hairs in inflorescences in some Poaceae, e.g. in Eragrostis comata.

commercial name:

commissure:

community:

compound:

compound palmate:

compressed:

concatenate:

concolorous:

conduplicate:

cone:

conflorescence:

connate:

connective:

connivent:

conspecific:

contiguous:

contort:

contorted:

convolute: Referring to the arrangement of floral or foliar organs in a when each organ or segment has one edge overlapping the adjacent organ or segment; a form of arrangement. See.

corcle:

cordate:

coriaceous:

corm:

cormel:

corneous:

corolla:

corona: In flowering plants, a ring of structures that may be united in a tube, arising from the or of a flower and standing between the perianth lobes and the s. The trumpet of a daffodil is a corona. In grasses, a hardened ring of tissue surmounting the in some species.

cortex:

corticolous:

corymb:

costa:

costapalmate:

cotyledon:

craspedodromous:

crateriform:

cremnophyte:

crenate:

crenulate:

crisped:

cristarque cell:

crown:

cross:

cruciform:

crustaceous:

crustose:

cryptogam:

cucullate:

culm:

cultigen:

cultivar:

cultivar epithet:

cuneate:

cupule:

cupular:

cupulate:

cupuliform:

cusp:

cuspidate:

cuticle:

cutting:

cyathium:

cyathophyll:

cylindrical:

cynaroid:

cyme:

cymose: Having a or cymes.

cypsela:

D


deciduous:

declinate:

decompound:

decorticate: (intr. v.) To shed the outer bark of a tree, usually seasonally as part of the natural growth cycle. (tr. v.) To strip the peel, crust, bark, or other surface tissues from a plant or from harvested material, such as in extracting fiber from harvested Agave leaves.

decumbent:

decurrent:

decussant:

decussate:

definite:

deflexed:

dehiscent:

deltoid:

dendroid:

dentate:

denticulate:

deserticolous:

determinate:

diadelphous:

diaspore:

dichasium:

dichlamydeous:

dichotomous:

dicotyledon:

digitate:

digitiform:

dimorphic:

dioecious:

dioicous:

diploid:

diplostemonous:

disc:

discoid:

discolorous:

disjunct:

disk floret:

dissected:

dissepiment:

distal:

distichous:

distinct:

distyly:

diurnal:

divaricate:

divergent:

division:

domatia:

dorsal:

dorsifixed:

dorsiventral:

drip tip:

drupe:

drupelet:

druse:

E


-eae:

ebracteate:

ecological amplitude:

edaphic:

eglandular:

elaiosome:

elephophily:

ellipsoid:

elliptical:

emarginate:

embryo:

emergent:

enation:

enantiostyly:

endemic:

endocarp:

endodermis:

endosperm: A nutritive tissue surrounding the of the, usually triploid, originating from the fusion of both polar nuclei with one gamete after the fertilization of the egg. The within the embryo sac.

endospory:

ensiform:

entire: Not divided. (of a ) Smooth and not or (though possibly wavy or ). See also entire in Glossary of leaf morphology

entomophily:

epecophyte:

ephemeral:

epicalyx:

epicarp:

epicormic:

epicotyl:

epicuticular wax:

epidermis:

epigynous:

epilithic:

epipetalous:

epipetric:

epiphloedal:

epiphyte:

epiphytic:

episepalous:

epitepalous:

epithet:

epizoochory:

epruinose:

equitant:

erect:

ericoid:

erose:

ethelochoric:

etiolation:

even-pinnate:

evergreen:

ex:

exalbuminous:

exocarp:

exospory:

exotesta:

exotic:

exserted:

exstipulate:

extrastaminal:

extrorse:

F


F1 hybrid:

F2 hybrid:

fabiform:

facultative:

falcate:

family:

farina:

farinaceous:

fascicle:

fasciculate:

fastigiate:

faucal:

fauces:

faveolate:

felted:

female flower:

fenestrate:

ferruginous:

fertile:

fertilization:

fiber:

fiber cell:

filament:

filamentous:

filiform:

fimbria:

fimbriate:

fissure:

fistule:

fistulose:

flabellate:

flaccid:

flexistyly:

flexuous: flexuose:

floccose:

flora:

floral envelope:

floral leaves:

floral diagram:

floral formula:

floral tube:

floret:

flower:

foliate:

foliicolous:

follicle:

foliole:

foliose:

forb:

forest:

forma:

foveolate:

free:

free central:

frond:

frutescent:

fruticose:

fruit:

fugacious:

funicle:

funnelform:

furcate:

fused:

fusiform:

G
[[File:Gymnospermae.jpg|thumb|alt=refer to caption|Examples of LEFT

1-Welwitschia mirabilis

2-Cycas revoluta

3-Taxus baccata

4-Ginkgo biloba

RIGHT

1-Cupressus sempervirens

2-Sequoiadendron giganteum

3-Agathis dammara

4-Araucaria heterophylla ]]

galbulus:

galea:

gall:

gamete:

gametophore:

gametophyte:

gamopetalous:

gamophyllous:

gemma:

gene pool:

genus:

generic name:

genotype:

geophilous:

germination:

gibbous:

glabrescent:

glabrous:

gland:

glandular hair:

glaucous:

globose:

globulose:

glochid:

glumes:

glutinous:

graft:

graft chimaera:

graminaceous:

graminoid:

granular:

grass:

grassland:

groundcover:

group:

guard cell:

guttate:

guttation:

guttulate:

gymnosperm:

gynaecium:

gynobasic:

gynodioecious:

gynomonoecious:

gynoecium:

gynophore:

gynostegium:

H




habit:

habitat:

hair:

half-inferior ovary:

halonate:

halophyte:

hand-pollination:

haploid:

haplostemonous:

harmomegathy:

hastate:

haustorium:

head:

heathland:

helicoid:

heliophilous:

hemerochoric:

hemi-legume:

herb:

herbaceous:

herbarium:

hermaphrodite:

hesperidium:

heteroblastic:

heteromorphic:

heterospory:

heterostyly:

hilum:

hip:

hippocrepiform:

hirsute:

hispid:

hoary:

holotype:

homochlamydeous:

homospory:

hort.:

husk (or hull):

hyaline:

hybrid:

hybrid formula:

hydrophily:

hypanthium:

hyper-resupinate:

hypocarpium:

hypocotyl:

hypocrateriform:

hypogynous:

hysteranthous:

I


idioblast:

illegitimate name:

imbricate:

imparipinnate:

in:

-inae:

inbreeding:

incertae sedis:

incised:

included:

incomplete flower:

incurved:

ined.:

indefinite:

indehiscent:

indeterminate:

indigenous:

indumentum:

induplicate:

indusium:

inferior ovary:

inflated:

inflexed:

inflorescence:

infraspecific:

infrageneric:

infructescence:

infundibular:

inrolled:

insectivorous:

insertion, point of:

inserted:

integument:

intercalary:

intercalary meristem:

interjugary glands:

internode:

interpetiolar:

intramarginal:

intrastaminal:

introrse:

invalid:

involucre:

involute:

iridescent:

irregular:

isobifacial:

isomerous:

isomorphic:

isotomic:

J
[[File:Acacia karroo bipinnate leaf IMG 2153a.jpg|thumb|alt=refer to caption|Vachellia karroo bipinnate leaf

A. Rachilla

B. Pinnule

C. 

D. Juga (plural of )

E. Base of petiole

F. Petiolary gland

G. Rachis]]

joint:

jugary:

jugary gland:

jugate:

jugum:

juvenile leaves:

K


keel:

kernel:

kettle trap:

key innovation:

kidney shape:

kingdom:

Klausenfrucht:

knee:

L


labellum:

labiate:

lacerate:

laciniate:

lacuna:

lamella:

lamina:

lanate:

lanceolate:

lanuginose:

lateral:

latex:

laticiferous:

latrorse:

lauroid:

lax:

leaf:

leaf gap:

leaf scar:

leaf trace:

leaflets:

legume:

lemma:

lenticel:

lenticellate:

lenticular:

lepidote:

leprose:

liana:

liane:

ligneous:

lignum:

lignicolous:

lignotuber:

ligulate:

ligule:

linea, line, British line, Paris line:

linear:

lingulate:

lip:

lithophytic:

lobe:

lobulate:

loculicidal:

locule:

lodicule:

lomentum:

longicidal:

lunate:

lumen:

lyrate:

M


maculate:

male flower:

mallee:

mangrove:

margin:

marginal:

marsh:

mast:

mealy:

medulla:

megasporangium:

megaspore:

megasporophyll:

megastrobilus:

membranous:

mericarp:

meristem:

mesic:

mesocarp:

mesomorphic:

mesophyll:

mesophyllous:

mesophyte:

micropyle:

microsporangium:

microspore:

microsporophyll:

microstrobilus:

midrib:

midvein:

monad:

monadelphous:

moniliform:

monocarpic:

monochasium:

monocot:

monocotyledon:

monoecious:

monoicous:

monograph:

monomorphic:

monophyllous:

monopodial:

monostromatic:

monothecous:

monotypic:

morphology:

mucro:

mucronate:

multiple fruit:

muricate:

mutation:

mycelium:

mycorrhiza:

mycotroph:

N


native:

natural hybrid:

naturalised:

nectar:

nectary:

neophyte:

nerve:

node:

nomen conservandum:

nomen illegitimum:

nomen invalidum:

nomen nudum:

nomenclature:

noxious:

nucellus:

numerous:

nut:

nutlet: A small. One of the lobes or sections of the mature of some members of the Boraginaceae, Verbenaceae, and Lamiaceae.

O


ob-:

obconic:

obcordate:

obdiplostemonous:

oblanceolate:

oblate:

obligate:

oblique:

obloid:

oblong:

obovate:

obsolete:

obtrapeziform:

obtuse:

ocrea:

odd-pinnate:

oft.:

-oideae:

olim:

ontogeny:

operculum:

opposite:

opus utique oppressum:

orbicular:

order:

ortet:

orthotropous:

oval:

ovary:

ovate:

ovoid:

ovule:

P


pachycaul:

pachycladous:

palate:

palea:

paleate:

paleaceous:

palmate:

palmatifid:

palmatisect:

pandurate:

panicle:

papilionate:

papilla:

pappus:

paracarpel:

paraperigonium:

parasite:

parenchyma:

parietal:

paripinnate:

parthenocarpy:

patent:

patulous:

pauciflor:

pectinate:

pedate:

pedicel:

peduncle:

peltate:

pellucid:

pendulous:

penicillate:

penninervation:

pentamerous:

pepo:

perennating:

perennial:

perfect:

perfoliate:

perforate:

perforation plate:

perianth:

pericarp:

periclinal:

pericycle:

perigonium:

perigynium:

perigynous:

persistent:

perule:

petal:

petalody:

petaloid:

petiolary:

petiolate:

petiole:

petiolule:

petricolous:

phaneranthous:

phanerogam:

phenology:

phloem:

photosynthesis:

phyllary:

phyllid:

phyllode:

phyllopodium:

phylloplane:

phyllosphere:

phylum:

phytomelan:

pileate:

pileus:

piliform:

pilose:

pinna:

pinnate:

pinnatifid:

pinnatisect:

pinnule:

pistil:

pistillate flower:

pistillode:

pit:

pith:

placenta:

placentation:

Plant Breeders Rights:

Plant Variety Rights:

plastochron:

pleiochasium:

plicate:

-plinerved:

plumose:

plumule:

pluriflor:

pluriovulate:

pneumatophore:

pod:

podocarpium:

pollen:

pollen-mass:

pollen transmitting tissue:

pollination:

pollinium:

polygamodioecious:

polygamomonoecious:

polygamous:

polymorphic:

polyphyllous:

polyploid:

polystemonous:

pome:

population:

poricidal:

posterior:

prickle:

primary vein:

procumbent:

propagule:

pro parte:

prophyll:

prostrate:

protandrous:

proteranthous:

prothallus:

protogynous:

proximal:

pruinose:

pseudanthium:

pseudo-:

pseudobasifixed:

pseudostipule:

pseudoverticillate:

puberulous:

pubescent:

pulverulent:

pulvinate:

pulvinus:

punctate:

punctiform:

pungent:

pustule:

pustulate:

pyramidal:

pyrene:

pyriform:

pyrophile:

pyrophyte:

Q


quadrate:

R
[[File:Acacia karroo bipinnate leaf IMG 2153a.jpg|thumb|alt=refer to caption| of Vachellia karroo bipinnate leaf, with components labelled as follows: A. Rachilla (the diminutive of rachis)

B. Pinnule

C. Jugary glands

D. Juga (plural of )

E. Base of petiole

F. Petiolary gland

G. Rachis ]]

raceme:

rachilla:

rachis:

radial:

radiate:

radical:

radicle:

rainforest:

ramet:

ramicaul:

ramify:

ray:

receptacle:

recumbent:

recurved:

reduplicate:

reflexed:

registered name:

registration:

regular:

reniform:

replum:

resupinate:

reticulate:

retrorse:

retuse:

revision:

revolute:

rhachis:

rhizodermis:

rhizome:

rhizomatous:

rhizosphere:

rhytidome:

rhombic:

rhomboid:

rhomboidal:

rimose:

root:

root hairs:

root microbiome:

rootstock:

rosette:

rostellate:

rostrate:

rotate:

ruderal:

rudiment:

rudimentary:

rugose:

rugulose:

ruminate:

runcinate:

runner:

rupicolous:

rush:

S


saccate:

sagittate:

salverform:

samara:

samphire:

sanguine:

saprophyte:

saprotroph:

sarment:

sarmentose:

saxicolous:

scabrid:

scalariform:

scale:

scandent:

scape:

scapose:

scarious:

schizocarp:

scion:

sclereid:

sclerenchyma:

sclerophyll:

scorpioid:

scrobiculate:

scrubland:

scurf:

secondary metabolite:

secretory tissue:

section:

secund:

sedge:

seed:

segment:

self-pollination:

semaphyll:

semelparity:

semiterete:

senecioid:

sensitive:

sensu:

sensu auct.:

sensu amplo:

sensu lato:

sensu strictissimo:

sensu stricto:

sepal:

septicidal:

septum:

seriate:

sericeous:

series:

serrate:

serrulate:

sessile:

seta:

sheath:

sheathing:

shoot:

shrub:

sigmoid:

silicula:

silique:

siliqua:

silky:

silviculture:

simple:

sinuate:

sinus:

solitary:

sorus:

sp.:

spp.:

spadix:

spathe:

spathulate:

species:

specific epithet:

speirochoric:

spica:

spike:

spikelet:

spine:

spinescent:

spiral:

splash-cup:

sporangium:

sporangiophore:

spore:

sporocarp:

sporophyll:

sporophyte:

sport:

spreading:

spur:

squamule:

squamulose:

squarrose:

s.t.:

stalk:

stamen:

staminate flower:

staminode:

staminophore:

standard:

standard specimen:

stele:

stellate:

stem:

stem-clasping:

stenospermocarpy:

sterile:

stigma:

stipe:

stipella:

stipitate:

stipulate:

stipule:

stock:

stolon:

stoloniferous:

stoma:

stone cell:

striate:

strigillose:

strigose:

strobilus:

style:

stylodium:

stylopodium:

stylulus:

subacute:

subcoriaceous:

subgenus:

subglobose:

suborbicular:

subpetiolate:

subquadrangular:

subshrub:

subspecies:

subtend:

subulate:

succulent:

sucker:

suffrutex:

sulcate:

superficial:

superior ovary:

suspended:

suture:

sward:

sympatric:

sympodial:

syconium:

syn-:

symmetrical:

sympetalous:

symphyllous:

synangium:

synanthous:

synaptospermy:

syncarpous:

synonym:

synoecious:

syntepalous:

T


taproot:

tartareous:

taxon:

taxonomy:

tegmen:

tendril:

tepal:

terete:

terminal:

ternate:

terrestrial:

tessellate:

testa:

tetrad:

tetragonal:

tetramerous:

tetraploid:

tetraspore:

thalamus: 1. A synonym for.

thallose:

thallus:

theca:

thorn:

throat:

thyrse:

tomentellous:

tomentum:

toothed:

torus:

transmitting tissue:

trapeziform:

tree:

triad:

triangular:

tribe:

trichome:

trichotomous:

trifid:

trifoliate:

trifoliolate:

trigonous:

trimerous:

trinerved:

triplinerved:

triporate:

triquetrous:

trivalve:

trivial name:

trophophyll:

trullate:

truncate:

trunk:

truss:

tuber:

tubercle:

tuberculate:

tuberoid:

tuberous:

tubular:

tufted:

tunic:

tunicate:

turbinate:

turgid:

tussock:

two-ranked:

type:

type genus:

U


umbel:

umbo:

umbonate:

unciform:

uncinate:

undershrub:

understory:

undulate:

uniflor:

unilocular:

uniserial:

uniseriate:

unisexual:

unitegmic:

urceolate:

usu.:

utricle:

V


vallecular canal:

valvate:

valve:

var.:

variant:

variegated:

varietas:

vascular:

vascular bundle:

vasculum:

vein:

veinlet:

velamen:

velutinous:

velvety:

venation:

ventral:

vernation:

vernicose:

vernonioid:

verruciform:

verrucose:

verruculose:

versatile:

verticillate:

verticillaster:

vesicular:

vessel:

vestigial:

villosulous:

villous:

vine:

virgate:

Viridiplantae:

viscid:

vitta:

viviparous:

W


warty:

watershoot:

weed:

wild:

whorl:

wing:

woody:

wooly: woolly:

X
xeromorph:

xerophyte:

xylem:

Z


zonate:

zygomorphic:

zygote:

Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew

 * Standard glossary (archive)
 * Stuppy, W. Glossary of Seed and Fruit Morphological Terms

Australia and New Zealand

 * University of Sydney: Eflora – Glossary
 * Florabase (Western Australia)
 * Flora of Australia Online Glossary
 * Flora of Australia Abbreviations
 * Flora of S Australia
 * Botany Word of the Day. Illustrated with New Zealand natives
 * New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Africa

 * Plants of southern Africa
 * Plants of southern Africa