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Glossary of Botanical Terms

Sourced from the following Western Australian Herbarium publications: Flora of the Perth Region, Parts I and II (1987), Flora of the Kimberley (1992) and The Western Australian Flora - A Descriptive Catalogue (2000).

abaxial

away from the axis, referring to the surface of an organ that is furthest from the axis in bud. cf. adaxial

abscission

the normal shedding from a plant of an organ that is mature or aged. adj. abscissile

acaulescent

without a stem, or with stem so short that the leaves appear basal

achene

a dry, 1-seeded, indehiscent fruit formed from a superior ovary of one carpel. Used to describe the fruit of the Asteraceae formed from an inferior ovary, following the definition given by De Candolle; equivalent to the term cypsela

actinomorphic

having radially arranged floral segments which are more or less equal in size and shape, referring to a flower, calyx or corolla. cf. zygomorphic

aculeate

covered in prickles

acuminate

tapering gradually to a protracted point. cf. attenuate

acute

terminating in a distinct but not protracted point, the converging edges forming an angle of less than 90 degrees. cf. obtuse

adaxial

towards the axis, referring to the surface of an organ that is closest to the axis in bud. cf. abaxial

adherent

touching without organic fusion, referring to parts normally separate, e.g. floral parts of different whorls. cf. adnate, coherent, connate

adnate

fused to an organ of a different kind, e.g. a stamen fused to a petal or an anther fused for its whole length to the filament. Also used to describe the type of anther in some eucalypts which is basifixed, immobile and about as wide as long. cf. adherent, coherent, connate

adpressed

lying close to another organ but not fused to it. See appressed

adventitious

arising in abnormal positions, e.g. roots arising from the shoot system, buds arising elsewhere than in the axils of leaves

alien

belonging to another place

allomorphic

with a shape different from the typical shape

alluvium

deposits of earth, sand, etc., left by water flowing over land that is not permanently submerged

alternate

borne singly and spaced around and along the axis, applied to leaves or other organs on an axis. Also used to describe the position of floral parts of different whorls on different radii, e.g. stamens with respect to petals. cf. opposite

amphibious

capable of living on or in water or on drying soil. Frequently an amphibious plant has a different form in different habitats

amplexicaul

clasping the stem

anastomosing

connecting with one another, particularly applied to veins

ancipitous

two-edged

androdioecious

having male flowers and bisexual flowers on separate plants. cf. gynodioecious

androecium

the male part of a flower; a collective term for the stamens of one flower

androgynous

having male and female flowers in distinct parts of the same inflorescence

andromonoecious

having male flowers and bisexual flowers on the same plant. cf. gynomonoecious

angiosperm

a division of seed plants with the ovules borne in an ovary. cf. gymnosperm

annual

completing the full cycle of germination to fruiting within a single year and then dying. cf. biennial, perennial

annular

arranged in or forming a ring

anther

that part of the stamen in which the pollen is produced

anthesis

the period that a flower is open, i.e. between the opening of the bud and the onset of withering

anthocarp

a false fruit consisting of the true fruit and the base of the floral whorls

antrorse

directed upwards. cf. retrorse

apiculum

a short, sharp, flexible point. adj. apiculate

appressed

pressed closely to another organ but not united

aquatic

a plant living in or on water for all or a substantial part of its life span. cf. terrestrial

arborescent

resembling a tree; applied to non-woody plants attaining tree height and to shrubs tending to become tree-like in size

aril

a fleshy to hard structure which develops from the funicle or ovule after fertilisation and encloses all or part of the seed. adj. arillate

aristate

having a stiff, bristle-like tip

aristulate

having a small, stiff, bristle-like tip; a diminutive of aristate

articulate

jointed; usually fracturing easily at the nodes or point of articulation into segments or articles

ascending

arched upwards in the lower part and becoming erect in the upper part. cf. decumbent, procumbent

attenuate

tapering gradually. cf. acuminate

auricle

an ear shaped appendage at the base of a leaf, leaflet or corolla lobe; or an ear-like outgrowth at the base of the sheath of some grasses and other monocots. adj. auriculate, also used to describe a leaf base which has lobes on both sides of the petiole

autotrophic

self feeding, not depending on parasitism or entirely on organic matter. cf. heterotrophic

awn

a slender, bristle-like projection, e.g. from the back or tip of the glumes and lemmas in some grasses and on the fruit of some Geraniaceae. adj. awned

axil

the angle between one part of a plant and another part, e.g. a branch and a leaf. adj. axillary

axis

main stem of the plant or the flower-bearing portion of an inflorescence or the ovule-bearing structure in ovaries with axile placentation

barbate

bearded, having tufts of hairs

barbellae

short, stiff, hair-like bristles. adj. barbellate

basal

arising from or positioned at the base

beak

a prominent terminal projection, especially of a carpel or fruit. adj. beaked

berry

a fleshy or pulpy indehiscent fruit with the seed(s) embedded in the fleshy tissue of the pericarp

biconvex

convex on both sides

biennial

completing the full cycle of germination to fruiting in more than one, but not more than two years, and then dying

bifoliolate

having two leaflets

bipinnate

2-pinnate; twice pinnately divided

bipinnatisect

2-pinnatisect; twice pinnatisectly lobed

biserrate

doubly serrate; with smaller regular, asymmetric teeth on the margins of larger teeth

bisexual

having both sexes, as in a flower bearing both fertile anthers and a fertile ovary. cf. unisexual

biternate

twice ternately divided

blade

lamina; part of the leaf above the sheath or petiole

bract

a leaf-like structure, usually different in form from the foliage leaves, associated with an inflorescence or flower. adj. bracteate

bracteole

a small bract-like structure borne singly or in a pair on the pedicel or calyx of a flower. adj. bracteolate

broadly

having a length:breadth ratio between 6:5 and 1:1; if the ratio is less then the shape is described as very broadly. cf. narrowly

bulb

a modified underground axis that is short and crowned by a mass of usually fleshy, imbricate scales. adj. bulbous

bulbil

a small bulb produced on aerial parts such as a leaf axil or an inflorescence

burr

a partial infructescence, often prickly or rough, as in some Amaranthaceae and Asteraceae

buttress

supporting outgrowth from base of a tree trunk as in some Rhizophoraceae and Moraceae

caducous

falling early before associated organs are mature. cf. deciduous, persistent

caespitose

growing densely in tufts; having short, closely packed stems

calcareous

composed of or containing lime or limestone

callus

see callosity

callosity

a thickened, raised mass of hardened tissue, often formed after an injury but sometimes a normal feature, e.g. the glandular wart-like structures on the labellum of some orchids, or in grasses, the hardened, usually hairy base of the dispersal unit, usually a floret or whole spikelet. pl. calli, callosities. adj. callose

calyptra

hooded or lidded

calyx

the outermost floral whorl usually consisting of sepals or a calyx tube and calyx lobes. adj. calycine

calyx lobe

one of the free upper parts of the calyx which may be present when the lower part is united into a tube

calyx tube

the tubular, often cup shaped or bell shaped, fused part of the calyx when it is free from the corolla. cf. floral tube

campanulate

a 3-dimensional shape; bell shaped

canescent

grey or white in colour due to a covering of short, fine grey or white hairs

capitate

growing together in a head. Also meaning head-like as in some stigmas

capitulum

a dense cluster of sessile, or almost sessile, flowers or florets

capsule

a dry fruit formed from two or more united carpels and dehiscing at maturity to release the seeds. adj. capsular

carpel

an organ, generally believed to be leaf-derived, which bears 1 or more ovules, a stigma and sometimes a style. Often much modified in a syncarpous ovary. adj. carpellary

caryopsis

the grass fruit, which has the seed coat united with the ovary wall

caudate

having a narrow, tail-like appendage

caulescent

having an obvious aerial stem

cauliflorus

of flowers and fruits, borne on old wood

cauline

borne on the aerial part of a stem. cf. radical

chartaceous

papery

chasmogamous

describing flowers in which pollination takes place while the flower is open. cf. cleistogamous

ciliate

fringed with hairs

ciliolate

minutely ciliate

cilium

a straight, usually erect hair on a margin or ridge. pl. cilia

circinnate

spirally coiled, with the tip innermost

circumscissile

opening by a transverse line around the circumference

cladode

the modified photosynthetic stem of a plant whose foliage leaves are absent or much reduced. cf. phyllode, phylloclade

clavate

a 3-dimensional shape; club shaped; thickened at one end

claw

the conspicuously narrowed basal part of a flat organ

cleistogamous

describing flowers which are self-pollinating and set fertile seed without the flower opening. cf. chasmogamous

climber

growing more or less erect by leaning or twining around another structure

cline

a character gradient over a geographical area where one or several morphological features gradually change over a part or over the whole distribution area. adj. clinal

coccus

one of the segments of a distinctly lobed fruit which becomes separate at maturity. Sometimes called a mericarp. pl. cocci

coherent

touching without organic fusion, referring to parts normally together, e.g. floral parts of the same whorl. cf. adherent, adnate, connate

column

a structure formed by the united style, stigma and stamen(s), as in Asclepiadaceae, Stylidiaceae and Orchidaceae

complicate

conduplicate q.v.

compound

consisting of two or more anatomically or morphologically equivalent units

compressed

flattened

concolorous

uniformly coloured, as in upper and lower surfaces. cf. discolorous

conduplicate

folded together lengthwise

cone

a reproductive structure composed of an axis (branch) bearing sterile bract-like organs and seed or pollen bearing structures. Strictly refers to the Gymnospermae or Lycopodiales but frequently used for the fruiting spike in Casuarinaceae and flowering and fruiting structure in some Proteaceae

conic

a 3-dimensional shape; cone shaped, attached at the broader end

connate

fused to another organ of the same kind. cf. adherent, adnate, coherent

connective

the tissue separating two lobes of an anther

conspecific

within or belonging to the same species

contiguous

neighbouring parts being in contact but not fusing

convolute

an arrangement of petals in a bud where each has one side overlapping the neighbouring petal

cordate

a 2-dimensional shape; heart shaped in outline, i.e. having the base broad and distinctly notched

coriaceous

leathery

corm

a very short, broad, firm-fleshed, subterranean stem which produces aerial stems, leaves and flowers. adj. cormous

cormel

a miniature corm produced in leaf axils

corolla

the floral whorl inside the calyx, usually consisting of petals or a corolla tube and corolla lobes. adj. corolline

coroniform

crown shaped, as in the pappus of Asteraceae which may be coroniform when the membranous scales are connate

corymb

an inflorescence, usually a raceme, in which the flowers, through unequal pedicels, are in one horizontal plane. adj. corymbose

costa

a thickened, linear ridge or the midrib of the pinna in ferns. adj. costate

cotyledon

the primary ("seed") leaf, each seedling having one or two, rarely more

crenate

with obtuse or rounded teeth which either point forwards or are perpendicular to the margin

crenulate

minutely crenate

crisped

very strongly undulate; margins which are wavy in a vertical plane, the waves themselves with secondary waves. cf. undulate

crustaceous

hard, thin and brittle

culm

the aerial stem of grasses, sedges, rushes and other monocots, bearing the cauline leaves and the inflorescence

cultivar

cultivated variety; an assemblage of cultivated individuals distinguished by any characters significant for the purposes of agriculture, forestry or horticulture, and which, when reproduced, retains its distinguishing features

cuneate

a 2-dimensional shape; obtriangular, i.e. wedge shaped

cusp

an elongated, usually rigid, acute point. cf. mucro

cuspidate

somewhat abruptly and sharply concave and constricted into a cusp. cf. mucronate

cuspidulate

constricted into a minute cusp. cf. cuspidate

cylindric

a 3-dimensional shape; tubular or rod shaped with a length:breadth ratio of 2:1 to 3:2. cf. narrowly, broadly

cymbiform

boat shaped

cyme

an inflorescence in which each flower, in turn, is formed at the tip of a growing axis, further flowers being formed on branches arising below. adj. cymose

decorticate

to remove the bark, rind or husk from; to strip of its bark; to come off as a skin

decumbent

spreading horizontally with the apex growing upwards, referring to stems. cf. ascending, procumbent

decurrent

having the leaf base prolonged down the stem as a winged expansion or rib

decussate

having paired organs with successive pairs at right angles to give four rows

deflexed

bent downwards

dehiscent

breaking open at maturity to release the contents. cf. indehiscent

dendritic

branching from a main stem or axis; resembling the branching of a tree

dentate

with sharp, spreading, rather coarse teeth standing out from the margin

denticulate

finely dentate

depressed

flattened as if pressed down from the top or end; applied to 2 or 3-dimensional shapes, e.g. ovate and obovate or ovoid and obovoid which have a length:breadth ratio of less than 2:3

dichasium

a cyme in which the branches are opposite and approximately equal. pl. dichasia. adj. dichasial

dichotomous

divided almost equally into two parts

digitate

having parts arranged like the fingers on a hand

dimorphic

with two forms, e.g. having stamens of two different lengths or having two kinds of leaves. cf. uniform

dioecious

having male and female unisexual flowers on different plants. cf. monoecious

disc

the usually disc shaped receptacle of the head in Asteraceae. Also the fleshy nectariferous organ which is sometimes annular or lobed and developed usually between the stamens and ovary. Also used for the enlarged style-end in Proteaceae

disc floret

a tubular 4 or 5-toothed or lobed floret on the disc of an inflorescence, i.e. head of Asteraceae

disciform

describing an inflorescence, i.e. head of Asteraceae with central disc florets and marginal female florets which have a reduced inconspicuous slender tubular corolla without a ligule; or an inflorescence with only such reduced female florets. cf. discoid, radiate

discoid

resembling a disc; a solid structure with two convex faces. Used in the Asteraceae to describe a head which has only disc florets present. cf. disciform, radiate

discolorous

having two colours, e.g. the lower leaf surface distinctly different in colour from the upper. cf. concolorous

distal

end of any structure farthest from the point of attachment. cf. proximal

distichous

two-ranked, arranged in two diametrically opposite rows

divaricate

widely spreading

drupe

a 1-celled fruit with one or two seeds enclosed by a stony layer (endocarp) which is embedded in succulent tissue (mesocarp) surrounded by a thin outer skin (epicarp). adj. drupaceous

duricrust

echinate

bearing stiff, stout, prickly hairs

eglandular

without glands. cf. glandular

ellipsoid

a 3-dimensional shape; elliptic in outline and with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly

elliptic

a 2-dimensional shape; oval in outline and with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly

elongate

lengthened; stretched out

emarginate

having a broad, shallow notch at the apex. cf. retuse

endemic

having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographical region

endocarp

the innermost layer of the fruit wall, derived from the innermost layer of the carpel wall. cf. exocarp, mesocarp, pericarp

entire

without any incisions or teeth

ephemeral

short-lived

epicalyx

a whorl of bracts, just below or joined to the calyx, resembling a second calyx

epicormic

attached to the corm

epiparasite

epipetalous

borne on the petals

epiphyte

a plant growing on, but not parasitic on, another plant, e.g. some Orchidaceae. adj. epiphytic

erect

upright; perpendicular

exocarp

the outermost layer of the fruit wall, derived from the outermost layer of the carpel wall. Sometimes called epicarp. cf. endocarp, mesocarp, pericarp

exserted

protruding beyond some enclosing organ, e.g. referring to stamens which project beyond the corolla or perianth, or to valves which extend beyond the rim of a capsular fruit. Sometimes the stamens are not actually longer than the corolla or perianth but are exserted due to the spreading of the segments. cf. included

exstipulate

without stipules. cf. stipulate

extrorse

turned outwards or away from the axis. In the case of anthers, dehiscing longitudinally outwards. cf. introrse, latrorse

eye

a distinctly pigmented area, e.g. a brightly coloured spot, usually near the centre of the standard of some flowers of Papilionaceae; also refers to the scale-like leaves and dormant axillary buds of a tuber

falcate

sickle shaped

fascicle

a cluster. adj. fasciculate

ferruginous

rust coloured

fertile

provided with functional sexual parts which are capable of fertilisation and seed production. cf. sterile

filament

the stalk of a stamen below the point of attachment to the anther

filiform

thread-like

fimbriate

fringed

flaccid

limp and weak

flexuose

zig-zagging, often referring to a stem

floccose

covered with tufts of soft woolly hairs that usually rub off readily

floral tube

the part of the flower enveloping an ovary and formed by the fusion of the calyx tube, corolla tube and sometimes stamen filaments and receptacle. Variously referred to elsewhere as calyx tube, perigynium or hypanthium

floret

one of the small individual flowers of the Asteraceae or the reduced flower of the grasses, including the lemma and palea

flower

the sexual reproductive structure of the angiosperms, typically consisting of gynoecium, androecium and perianth or calyx and/or corolla and the axis bearing these parts

foliar

pertaining to a leaf

-foliolate

used with a number prefix to denote the number of leaflets

foliose

leafy

follicle

a dry fruit, derived from a single carpel and dehiscing along one suture

forb

See herb

frond

the leaf of a fern or cycad

fruit

seed-bearing structure formed from the ripened ovary after flowering

fusiform

a 3-dimensional shape; spindle shaped, i.e. is circular in cross-section and tapering at both ends

gametophyte

a plant bearing sexual organs; in ferns a small discrete plant, very different from the sporophyte, also known as the prothallus. cf. sporophyte

geophyte

a plant with an underground storage organ, e.g. a tuber, bulb or rhizome, and with an annually renewed aerial shoot

gilgai

glabrescent

becoming glabrous

glabrous

without hairs

gland

a secretory structure, e.g. a nectary, extra-floral nectary or a gland tipped, hair-like or wart-like organ. adj. glandular. cf. eglandular

glaucous

blue-green in colour, with a whitish bloom

globular

a 3-dimensional shape; spherical or orbicular; circular in outline

glume

one of the two bracts at the base of the grass spikelet, called the lower and upper glumes, due to their position on the rachilla. Also used in Apiaceae, Cyperaceae for the very small bracts on the spikelet in which each flower is subtended by one floral glume and in which there are often several empty glumes at the base. adj. glumaceous

gneiss

a metamorphic rock composed, like granite, of quartz, feldspar or orthoclase, and mica but distinguished from it by its foliated or laminated structure

gymnosperm

a member of the division of seed plants with the ovules and hence seeds, borne on a sporophyll or cone scale, and not borne in an ovary. cf. angiosperm

gynoecium

the female part of a flower; a collective term for the carpel or carpels

gynomonoecious

having female flowers and bisexual flowers on each individual plant. cf. andromonoecious

gypsum

hydreous calcium sulphate, resembling chalk

habit

the growth form of a plant, comprising its size, shape, texture and stem orientation

halophyte

a plant adapted to living in highly saline habitats; a plant that accumulates high concentrations of salt in its tissues. adj. halophytic

hastate

with a pair of basal lobes which flare outwards; refers to a flat organ, most commonly a leaf

herb

a plant which is non-woody or woody at the base only, the above ground stems usually being ephemeral. adj. herbaceous, q.v.

herbaceous

herb-like; often applied to bracts, bracteoles or floral parts that are green and soft in texture

hermaphrodite

bisexual, bearing flowers with both androecium and gynoecium in the same flower. adj. hermaphroditic

heterogamous

bearing separate male and female flowers or florets in an inflorescence or flower head, e.g. some Asteraceae in which the ray florets may be neuter or unisexual and the disk florets may be bisexual. cf. homogamous

heteromorphous

with two or more distinct forms. cf. homomorphous

heterosporous

producing spores of 2 sizes, the larger giving rise to megagametophytes (female), the smaller giving rise to microgametophytes (male). Applied to the ferns and fern allies. cf. homosporous

hirsute

with long and rather coarse or stiff hairs, the hairs being less rigid and erect than when referred to as hispid

hispid

with stout, rigid or bristly, erect hairs

hoary

covered with a greyish layer of very short, closely interwoven hairs

homochromous

of the same colour; usually used to describe those Asteraceae that bear a 1-coloured inflorescence, i.e. head, the disc and ray florets being the same colour. cf. heterochromous

homogamous

bearing one kind of flower unit rather than separate male and female flower units, e.g. some Asteraceae where all of the florets in an inflorescence or flower head are bisexual. cf. heterogamous

homomorphous

uniform, with only one form. cf. heteromorphous

homosporous

producing spores of the same size and sex. Applied to the ferns and fern allies. cf. heterosporous

hybrid

the offspring of the sexual union of plants belonging to different taxa

hydrophilous

water loving; requiring water in order to be fertilized, referring to many aquatic plants

hypanthium

see floral tube

imbricate

closely packed and overlapping. cf. valvate

imparipinnate

pinnately compound with a single terminal leaflet and hence with an odd number of leaflets. cf. paripinnate

incised

cut jaggedly with very deep teeth

included

not protruding beyond some enclosing organ, e.g. stamens which do not project beyond the corolla or to valves which do not extend beyond the rim of a capsular fruit. cf. exserted

incurved

curved inward; curved towards the base or apex

indefinite

numerous and variable in number

indehiscent

not opening or splitting to release the contents at maturity. cf. dehiscent

indumentum

the type of hairiness commonly found on external parts of plants. cf. vestiture

indurate

hardened, often the hardening developed only at maturity

indusium

tissue covering the sorus of a fern. Also used for the modified style end or pollen-cup of some Goodeniaceae (including Brunoniaceae). adj. indusiate

inferior

a flower in which the ovary is fused with the floral tube and the sepals, petals and stamens are inserted above most of the ovary. cf. superior

inflated

enlarged and hollow except in the case of a fruit which may contain a seed. cf. swollen

inflexed

bent or turned downwards, towards the axis

inflorescence

the arrangement of flowers in relation to the axis and to each other

internode

the part of an axis between two successive nodes, joints or point of attachment of the leaves

intricate

entangled

introduced

not indigenous; not native to the area in which it now occurs

introrse

turned inwards or towards the axis. In the case of anthers, dehiscing longitudinally inwards. cf. extrorse, latrorse

involucre

a large bract or whorl of bracts surrounding a flower or an entire inflorescence

involute

with the margins inrolled on the upper (adaxial) surface, referring to a leaf or other flat organ

ironstone

the name given to various hard iron-ores containing admixtures of silica, clay, etc

jugate

of a pinnate leaf; having leaflets in pairs

juvenile

young or immature, used here for leaves formed on a young plant which are different in morphology from those formed on an older plant

kaolin

a fine white clay produced by the decomposition of feldspar

keel

a boat shaped structure, with a prominent longitudinal ridge, or, in the Papilionaceae, the part of the corolla formed by the fusion of the lower edge of the two abaxial petals. adj. keeled. cf. standard, wing

labellum

the usually modified, adaxial, inner perianth segment of the orchid flower which by torsion of the ovary is usually abaxial

laciniate

fringed; having slender, narrow, pointed lobes

lamina

the usually flattened blade of a leaf or frond. Also used here for the limb, the flattened part of the ligulate floret of Asteraceae. pl. laminae

lanate

covered with long hairs which are loosely curled together like wool

lanceolate

lance shaped, much longer than wide, the widest point below the middle

laterite

a red, porous, ferruginous rock

latex

a milky, clear or sometimes coloured sap of diverse composition found in some plants

latrorse

turned sideways, i.e. not towards or away from the axis. In the case of anthers, dehiscing longitudinally on the side. cf. extrorse, introrse

leaflet

one of the ultimate segments of a compound leaf

lemma

the lower of two bracts of a grass floret, usually enclosing the palea, lodicules, stamens and ovary

lenticel

a lens shaped dot or pit on young bark, through which gaseous exchange may occur

lenticular

shaped like a biconvex lens

liane

a woody climbing or twining plant

lignotuber

a woody, usually underground, rootstock often giving rise to numerous aerial stems

ligulate

small and tongue shaped or with a little tongue shaped appendage or ligule, q.v. Also applied to the florets of the Asteraceae which have a single small tongue shaped corolla lobe

ligule

outgrowth from the inner junction of the grass leaf sheath and blade, often membranous, sometimes represented by a fringe of hairs. Also a small, membranous, triangular organ on the adaxial side of the fertile leaf base in Isoetes or the narrow, upper part of a reduced petal in some Sterculiaceae or the single corolla lobe of a floret of Asteraceae. cf. ligulate

limb

the expanded portion of a flat organ above the claw. Also used here for the expanded portion of the calyx tube or the corolla tube, e.g. in the Apiaceae and Solanaceae

linear

a 2-dimensional shape: narrowly rectangular with parallel sides and a length:breadth ratio of at least 12:1

linguiform

tongue shaped

lobe

a usually rounded or pointed projecting part, usually one of two or more, each separated by a fissure or sinus. The terms calyx lobe, corolla lobe and floral lobe are used here for the projections of the calyx, corolla or floral tube. cf. segment

loose

lax or not crowded; with distant or scattered units

lyrate

pinnately lobed, with the terminal lobe the largest and the laterals progressively smaller towards the base

mallee

a growth habit in which several to many woody stems arise separately from a lignotuber; usually applied to certain low-growing species of Eucalyptus

mangrove

coastal trees or shrubs subject to periodic tidal inundation, rarely occurring in fresh water, often with modified roots, often viviparous; plant community in tidal stretches of the mouth of some rivers containing mangrove species

margin

(in leaves); the edge of the leaf blade

megasporangium

the sporangium containing megaspores. cf. microsporangium

megaspore

the large spore which may develop into the female gametophyte in heterosporous ferns and fern allies. cf. microspore

mericarp

a 1-seeded portion of an initially syncarpous fruit which splits apart at maturity, e.g. in the Apiaceae. Sometimes called a coccus, q.v.

-merous

used with a number prefix to denote the basic number of the 3 outer floral whorls, e.g. a 5-merous flower may have 5 sepals, 10 petals and 15 stamens

mesocarp

the middle layer of the fruit wall derived from the middle layer of the carpel wall. cf. endocarp, exocarp, pericarp

microsporangium

the sporangium containing microspores. cf. megasporangium

microspore

a small spore which gives rise to the male gametophyte in heterosporous pteridophytes. Also used by some authors for a pollen grain. cf. megaspore

midvein

the main vascular supply of a simple leaf blade or lamina

minni-ritchi bark

reddish bark exfoliating in narrow, curled strips. Usually only applied to certain species of Acacia or Eucalyptus

monoecious

having both male and female unisexual flowers on the same individual plant. cf. dioecious

monopodial

with a persistent terminal growing point producing many lateral organs progressively. cf. sympodial

monotypic

of a genus with one species or a family with one genus; in general, applied to any taxon with only one immediately subordinate taxon

mucilage

a soft, moist, viscous secretion. adj. mucilaginous

mucous

slimy

mucro

a stiff or sharp, short projection of the midvein abruptly terminating an organ. cf. cusp

mucronate

abruptly tipped with a mucro, accompanied or not by a small amount of leaf tissue. cf. cuspidate, muticous

mucronulate

with a very small mucro; a diminutive of mucronate

muricate

with numerous short hard outgrowths. cf. papillose

muriculate

with numerous minute hard outgrowths; a diminutive of muricate

muticous

blunt, lacking awn or point. cf. mucronate

narrowly

having a length:breadth ratio between 3:1 and 6:1; if the ratio is more than 6:1 then the shape is described as very narrowly, except in the case of very narrowly oblong which is termed linear

native

a plant indigenous to the locality

nectariferous

having one or more nectaries

nectary

a secretory organ producing nectar; commonly in a flower, sometimes on leaves, fronds or stems

nut

dry indehiscent 1-celled fruit with a hard pericarp

ob-

prefix meaning inversely or opposite to

obconic

a 3-dimensional shape; cone shaped, attached at the narrower end

obcordate

a 2-dimensional shape; broad and notched at the tip; heart shaped but attached at the pointed end

obdeltate

a 2-dimensional shape; deltate with the broadest part at the apex

oblong

a 2-dimensional shape; rectangular with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly

obovate

a 2-dimensional shape: similar to ovate but attached at the narrower end and with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly

obpyramidal

a 3-dimensional shape; resembling a 4-sided pyramid attached at the apex with the square base facing away from the attachment

obpyriform

a 3-dimensional shape; resembling a pear which is attached at the narrower end. cf. pyriform

obspathulate

a 2-dimensional shape; resembling a spoon attached at the broadest end and with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. spathulate

obtriangular

a 2-dimensional shape; triangular, attached at the apex and with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. triangular

obtrullate

a 2-dimensional shape; resembling a trowel blade with the broadest axis above the middle and a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly, trullate

obtuse

blunt or rounded at the apex, the converging edges separated by an angle greater than 90 degrees. cf. acute

-oid

suffix denoting a 3-dimensional shape

operculum

a lid or cover becoming detached at maturity by abscission, e.g. in Eucalyptus, a cap covering the bud and formed by fusion or cohesion of sepals and/or petals. adj. operculate

opposite

describing leaves or other organs which are borne at the same level but on opposite sides of the stem; of floral parts, on the same radius. cf. alternate

orbicular

of circular outline

order

a classificatory rank intermediate between class and family, i.e. a group of families believed to be closely related or sometimes a single family with no apparent close relatives

orifice

an opening or aperture such as that of a cup shaped receptacle or the summit of a leaf sheath in grasses and sedges

ovary

the basal portion of a carpel or group of fused carpels, enclosing the ovule(s)

ovate

a 2-dimensional shape; resembling a section through the long axis of an egg, attached near the broader end and with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly

ovoid

a 3-dimensional shape; egg shaped; ovate in outline

ovule

the organ in the ovary which becomes a seed after fertilisation. adj. ovular

ovulode

a sterile reduced ovule borne on the placenta, commonly occurring in Myrtaceae

palate

a raised appendage on the lower lip of a corolla which partially or completely closes the throat

palea

the upper of the two bracts of a grass floret, usually enclosing the lodicules, stamens and ovary. pl. paleae. adj. paleal. cf. lemma

paleochannel

paleozoic? Fossilised soils

pallid

pale

palmate

describing a leaf which is divided into several leaflets which arise from the same point. adj. palmately

panduriform

a 2-dimensional shape; fiddle shaped

panicle

a compound raceme; an indeterminate inflorescence in which the flowers are borne on branches of the main axis or on further branches of these. adj. paniculate

papilionaceous

pea-flowered; flowers which are zygomorphic with imbricate petals, one broad upper one, two narrower lateral ones and two narrower lower ones, the latter usually coherent or connate by their margins; the flowers of Papilionaceae

papilla

a small protuberance on the surface of an organ being an extension of one epidermal cell. pl. papillae. adj. papillose. cf. muricate

pappus

a tuft (or ring) of hairs, bristles or scales borne above the ovary and outside the corolla in Asteraceae and possibly representing the calyx; often persisting as a tuft of hairs on a fruit. adj. pappose

paripinnate

pinnate with an even number of leaflets and without a terminal leaflet. A tendril may be terminal on the leaf. cf. imparipinnate

-partite

divided almost to the base into segments, the number of segments given as a prefix

patent

spreading, diverging from the axis almost at right angles

pectinate

pinnatifid with narrow segments set closely like the teeth of a comb

pedicel

the stalk of an individual flower. In a single-flowered inflorescence, may refer to a peduncle, or both peduncle and pedicel when undifferentiated. Also used here for the stalk of a spikelet in Poaceae. adj. pedicellate

peduncle

the stalk of an inflorescence. adj. pedunculate

pellucid

clear, transparent or nearly so

peltate

attached to the stalk at a point within the margin, i.e. on the lower surface

pendulous

drooping; of ovules, attached at the top of the ovary and hanging downwards from an apical placenta

penniveined

pinnately veined

perennial

with a life span extending over more than two growing seasons. cf. annual, biennial

perfoliate

with basal lobes united and encircling the stem, commonly referring to a leaf where the stem runs through the leaf base

perianth

the outer floral whorl or whorls of a monocotyledonous flower, sometimes divisible into outer and inner perianth segments. Sometimes used by other authors to describe the floral whorl of a dicotyledonous flower when it is uncertain if the whorl is calycine or corolline in origin or used as a collective term for calyx and corolla

pericarp

the wall of a fruit developed from the ovary wall. Composed of the exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp

persistent

remaining attached; not falling off. cf. caducous

petal

free segment of the corolla. adj. petaline. cf. lobe

petiolar

pertaining to the petiole

petiole

the stalk of a leaf. adj. petiolate

petiolule

the stalk of a leaflet. adj. petiolulate

phylloclade

a cladode which is green and leaf-like with the true leaves represented by scales

phyllode

a leaf whose blade is much reduced or absent and whose petiole has assumed the functions of the whole leaf. adj. phyllodineous, cf. cladode

piliferous

bearing or producing hair, usually referring to an organ with the apex having long, hair-like extensions

pilose

with slightly stiffened distinct hairs ascending from the surface

pindan

vegetation consisting of a lower storey of grasses, a middle storey of dense Acacia thickets and a sparse upper layer of trees up to 15 m high

pinna

a primary segment of the blade of a compound leaf or frond. pl. pinnae

pinnate

with the same arrangement as a feather; divided into pinnae; once-compound

pinnatifid

lobed approximately halfway to midrib. If divided almost to the midrib, then described as deeply pinnatifid or pinnatisect, q.v.

pinnatisect

lobed almost to base or midrib

pinnule

a leaflet of a bipinnate leaf

placenta

the region within the ovary to which ovules are attached

plano-

a prefix meaning level; flat

plicate

folded like a fan

plumose

like a feather; with fine hairs arising laterally from a central axis

pneumatophore

modified root which allows gaseous exchange in mud-dwelling shrubs, e.g. mangroves

pod

a dry 1-many-seeded dehiscent fruit. Commonly applied to the fruits of Caesalpiniaceae, Mimosaceae and Papilionaceae

polygamous

with unisexual and bisexual flowers on the same or on different individuals of the same species

polymorphic

with many morphological variants

procumbent

trailing or spreading along the ground but not rooting at the nodes, referring to stems. cf. ascending, decumbent, erect

prostrate

lying flat on the ground

proximal

end of any structure closest to the point of attachment. cf. distal

pruinose

with a frosty surface; having a thick, waxy, powdery coating

pseudocarp

a false fruit, largely made up of a fleshy receptacle

pteridophyte

a vascular plant which reproduces by spores; the ferns and fern allies

puberulent, puberulous

covered with very short fine straight erect hairs

pubescent

covered with short, soft hairs

pulvinus

an enlargement below the base of a leaf or leaflet in which changes of turgidity enable the leaf or leaflets to droop or fold. Also a glandular swelling in the axils of the inflorescence axis and primary branches of some grasses. adj. pulvinate

punctate

marked with dots, e.g. the clear-coloured oil glands of a leaf of Rutaceae and Myrtaceae

punctulate

marked with minute dots; a diminutive of punctate

pungent

ending in a rigid, sharp point

pyrene

the "stone" or "pit" of a drupe, consisting of the hardened endocarp and seed

pyriform

a 3-dimensional shape; resembling a pear, attached at the broader end. cf. obpyriform

quartzite

an extremely compact, granular rock, consisting essentially of quartz

raceme

an indeterminate inflorescence with a simple, elongated axis and pedicellate flowers. adj. racemose

rachilla

the main axis of a grass spikelet

rachis

the main axis of the spike or other inflorescence of grasses; the axis of a pinna in a bipinnate leaf

radiate

arranged around a common centre; used here especially to describe an inflorescence of Asteraceae with marginal, female or neuter, ligulate ray-florets and central, perfect or functionally male, tubular, disc florets. cf. disciform, discoid

ray

the marginal portion of the inflorescence of Asteraceae and Apiaceae when distinct from the disc. Also, the axis or branches of a compound umbel in some Apiaceae, Cyperaceae and Apiaceae, Loranthaceae

receptacle

the region at the end of a pedicel or on an axis which bears one or more flowers. In the Asteraceae the receptacle may be quite large. adj. receptacular

recurved

curved outward or downward

reflexed

bent or turned downward

reniform

a 2-dimensional shape; kidney shaped in outline

resinous

producing resin; often sticky

resupinate

twisted through 180 degrees

reticulate

forming a network or reticulum

retrorse

bent or directed downwards or backwards. cf. antrorse

retuse

with a very blunt and slightly notched apex. cf. emarginate

revolute

with the margins inrolled on the lower (abaxial) surface

rhizome

a creeping stem, usually below ground, consisting of a series of nodes and internodes with adventitious roots. adj. rhizomatous

rhizophore

a stilt-like extension of the stem which branches into roots on contact with the substrate

rhombic

a 2-dimensional shape; diamond shaped in outline with the broadest axis in the middle and with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. quadrate-rhombic, narrowly

rib

a distinct vein or linear marking, often raised as a linear ridge

rosette

a tuft of leaves or other organs resembling the arrangement of petals in a rose, ranging in form from a hemispherical tuft to a flat whorl. adj. rosetted, rosulate

rostrate

beaked; the apex narrowed into a slender, usually obtuse point

rostrum

a beak-like extension

rotate

wheel shaped; applied to a corolla with a very short tube and a broad upper part which is flared at right angles to the tube. cf. salverform

rugose

deeply wrinkled

rugulose

finely wrinkled; a diminutive of rugose

saccate

pouched

sagittate

arrow shaped, with a pair of large, acute or rounded, usually overlapping lobes

samara

an indehiscent, winged, dry fruit

scabrous

rough to the touch

scandent

climbing

scape

the stem-like flowering stalk of a plant with radical leaves. adj. scapose

scapigerous

with a scape

scarious

dry and membranous

schist

a crystalline rock whose component minerals are arranged in a more or less parallel manner

schistose

laminated; having a formation resembling a schist

schizocarp

a usually dry fruit which splits longitudinally into indehiscent or tardily dehiscent parts (mericarps or cocci)

sedge

a plant of the family Apiaceae, Cyperaceae

segment

a free or almost free part or subdivision of an organ. Calyx and corolla segments are called sepals and petals respectively. In the case of undifferentiated dicotyledonous flowers, the segments are called floral segments. cf. lobe

sepal

free segment of the calyx. adj. sepaline

septum

a partition or cross wall. A term for the sterile structure separating the seeds in a mature fruit of Banksia. pl. septa. adj. septate

sericeous

silky; covered with close-pressed, fine, straight silky hairs

serrate

toothed so as to resemble a saw; with regular, asymmetric teeth pointing forward

sessile

without a stalk

seta

a bristle or stiff hair. pl. setae. adj. setose, setaceous

setiform

bristle shaped

setulose

with minute bristles; a diminutive of setose

sheathing

clasping or enveloping the stem

shrub

a woody plant usually less than 5 m high and many-branched without a distinct main stem except at ground level. cf. undershrub

silicula

a broad, dry, usually dehiscent fruit derived from two or more carpels which usually dehisce along two sutures and which has a persistent partition after dehiscence. cf. siliqua

siliqua

a silicula which is at least twice as long as broad

simple

not divided, e.g. applied to a leaf not divided into leaflets. cf. compound

sinuate

with deep wave-like indentations in a horizontal plane along the margin. cf. repand

skeletal (soils)

composed of

solitary

usually used to describe flowers which are borne singly, and not grouped into an inflorescence

sorus

a discrete aggregate of sporangia in ferns. pl. sori

spadix

a spike-like inflorescence with an unbranched, usually thickened axis and small embedded flowers, the whole structure often surrounded by a spathe. pl. spadices

spathe

a large bract ensheathing an inflorescence or its peduncle. adj. spathaceous

spatheate

like or with a spathe

spathulate

spoon shaped; broad at the tip and narrowed towards the base

spiculate

spikelet-bearing

spike

an unbranched inflorescence of sessile flowers or spikelets. adj. spicate, spiciform

spikelet

the grass flowerhead, generally composed of 2 glumes and one or more florets. Also used for the small spike-like inflorescence or inflorescence units commonly found in Apiaceae, Cyperaceae and Restionaceae

spine

a stiff, sharp, pointed structure, formed by modification of a plant organ. adj. spinose

spinescent

ending in a spine; modified to form a spine

spinulose

with small spines over the surface

sporangium

a spore bearing structure used here particularly for ferns, fern allies and gymnosperms. pl. sporangia. adj. sporangial

sporocarp

a stalked fruit case, formed from modified sporophylls, containing sporangia or spores, e.g. in Marsilea

sporophyll

a leaf or bract which bears or subtends sporangia in the fern allies, ferns and gymnosperms

spur

a pouch-like short to slender, usually hollow extension of some part, usually of a flower

squarrose

with spreading rigid processes, e.g. the tips of bracts or leaves

stamen

one of the male organs of a flower, consisting typically of a stalk (filament) and a pollen-bearing portion (anther). adj. staminal, staminate

staminode

a stamen without pollen; often lacking an anther, often reduced in size, sometimes elaborated in structure. adj. staminodial

standard

the usually adaxial petal in the flower of Papilionaceae. cf. keel, wing

stellate

star shaped, usually referring to hairs with radiating branches

stem

the main axis or a branch of the main axial system of a plant, developed from the plumule of the embryo and typically bearing leaves

sterile

lacking any functional sexual parts which are capable of fertilisation and seed production. cf. fertile

stigma

the usually papillate or glandular part of the style which receives the pollen. adj. stigmatic

stilt root

a supporting root arising from the stem some distance above the ground as in some mangroves, sometimes also known as a prop root

stipe

a stalk or support such as the petiole of a frond or the stalk of an ovary or fruit

stipel

stipule-like appendage at the base of a leaflet (in unifoliolate leaves, inserted on the petiole, not on the stem). pl. stipellae. adj. stipellate

stipitate

having a stalk or stipe, usually of an ovary or fruit. cf. sessile

stipule

one of a pair of leaf-like, scale-like or bristle-like structures inserted at the base or on the petiole of a leaf or phyllode. adj. stipulate, cf. exstipulate

stolon

the creeping stem of a rosetted or tufted plant, giving rise to another plant at its tip, or in Drosera a vertical underground stem connecting the tuber with the above ground parts and bearing adventitious roots. adj. stoloniferous

striae

parallel longitudinal lines or ridges. adj. striate

strobilus

a cone-like structure formed from sporophylls or sporangiophores. pl. strobili

style

the usually narrowed, elongated part of a carpel or group of fused carpels, between the ovary and stigma

sub-

a prefix meaning nearly or almost, as in subcapitate or subequal

subspecies

taxon differing in minor morphological characters such as size or shape of parts, and either partially or completely isolated by means of geographic, ecologic or other barriers

substrate

underlying rock

subulate

narrow and tapering gradually to a fine point

succulent

fleshy, juicy, soft in texture and usually thickened

sulcate

grooved; furrowed

superior

a flower in which the ovary is free and mostly above the level of insertion of the sepals, petals and stamens. cf. inferior

suture

a line, mark or groove marking a natural division or union of parts of an organ

swollen

enlarged and solid. cf. inflated

sympetalous

having united petals

synangium

an organ composed of united sporangia, divided internally into cells, each containing spores. pl. synangia

syncarp

an ovary of two or more united carpels with a single style. adj. syncarpous

taxon

a classificatory group of any rank, e.g. a family, genus, species or any infraspecific category. pl. taxa

tendril

a slender organ formed from a modified stem, leaf or leaflet which, by coiling around objects, supports a climbing plant

tepal

a segment of the perianth, which is not differentiated into calyx and corolla; a sepal or petal

terete

circular in cross-section

terminal

at the apex or distal end

ternate

in threes

terrestrial

growing on ground; not aquatic

tessellate

with colours or shades arranged in small squares so as to give a chequered appearance

testa

a seed coat

tomentose

covered with not very long cottony hairs, more or less felted together, shorter and less dense than lanate

transverse

broader than long; applied to 2 or 3-dimensional shapes, e.g. elliptic and oblong or ellipsoid and obovoid which have a length:breadth ratio of less than 5:6

trapeziform

a plane, asymmetric shape with four straight sides of unequal length

tree

a woody plant usually over 5 m high and with an unbranched lower axis

triad

a group of three; used to describe the 3-flowered umbels found in some Loranthaceae

triangular

a 2-dimensional shape; 3-angled and 3-sided with a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly, deltate

tribe

a category intermediate in rank between subfamily and genus

trichotomous

divided almost equally into three parts

tridentate

three toothed

trifoliate

having three leaves

trifoliolate

a leaf having three leaflets

trifurcate

with 3 terminal, long lobes

trigonous

obtusely 3-angled; triangular in cross-section with plane faces

tripinnate

pinnately compound three times, with pinnate pinnules

triquetrous

acutely 3-angled; triangular in cross-section with concave faces and each corner projected outwards so that the organ has three distinct longitudinal ridges

trullate

a 2-dimensional shape; resembling a trowel blade, i.e. with 4 straight sides with the axis broadest below the middle and a length:breadth ratio between 3:2 and 2:1. cf. narrowly, broadly, obtrullate

truncate

with an abruptly transverse end as if cut off

tuber

a stem, usually underground, enlarged as a storage organ and with minute scale-like leaves and buds or "eyes". Some monocotyledons e.g. Thysanotus develop thickened roots called tuberous roots. adj. tuberous

tubercle

a wart-like protuberance. adj. tuberculate

tuft

a densely packed cluster arising from an axis. adj. tufted

turbinate

top shaped; inversely conic

turgid

swollen

typical variant

the variant of a species to which belongs the type specimen of that species

umbel

an inflorescence in which the pedicels originate from one point on top of the peduncle and are usually of equal length. adj. umbellate

uncinate

hooked at the apex

undershrub

subshrub; a small, usually sparsely branched woody shrub less than 1 m high. cf. shrub

undulate

with an edge or edges wavy in a vertical plane; may vary from weakly to strongly undulate or crisped. cf. crisped

unifoliolate

a compound leaf which has been reduced to a single, usually terminal leaflet

uniform

with one form, e.g. having stamens of a similar length or having one kind of leaf. cf. dimorphic

uniseriate

arranged in one line or at one level

unisexual

with one sex only, either bearing the anthers with pollen, or an ovary with ovules, referring to a flower, inflorescence or individual plant. cf. bisexual

urceolate

urn shaped

valvate

meeting without overlapping, usually referring to sepals or petals in bud. cf. imbricate

valve

one of the parts produced by the splitting of a capsule when ripe or a part of the specialised opening of a capsular fruit

variant

any definable individual or group of individuals which may or may not be regarded as representing a formal taxon after scrutiny

variegate

diverse in colour or marked with irregular patches of different colours

variety

a classificatory rank below that of subspecies

vein

a strand of vascular tissue

velum

a flap of tissue covering the sporangium in Isoetes

velutinous

covered with a close silky coating of short fine hairs which are erect and of even length. cf. sericeous

venation

the arrangement of veins in a leaf

vernation

the arrangement of young leaves or fronds in a bud or at a stem apex, e.g. erect or circinnate, q.v.

verrucose

warty

verticillate

whorled; arranged in one or more whorls

vesicle

a small bladdery sac or cavity filled with air or fluid. adj. vesicular

vestigial

the remaining trace or remnant of an organ which was probably fully developed in some evolutionary predecessor

vestiture

covering; the type of hairiness, scaliness or other covering commonly found on the external parts of plants. cf. indumentum

villous

with long, soft hairs sometimes lying on the surface, finer than in pilose

virgate

with a broom-like habit, more or less densely branched with stiff, more or less erect branches, leaves usually small

viscid

sticky on the surface; coated with a thick, syrup-like secretion

viviparous

having the seeds germinate on the parent plant or, in the case of ferns, having new plants develop on the fronds

whorl

a ring-like arrangement of similar parts arising from a common point or node

wing

any flat, often membranous expansion or flange, e.g. on a seed, stem or one of the two lateral petals of a papilionaceous flower or one of the petal-like sepals of Polygalaceae. cf. keel, standard

xerophyte

a plant which naturally grows in dry regions and is often structurally modified to withstand dry conditions

zygomorphic

having only one plane of symmetry, usually the vertical plane, referring to a flower, calyx or corolla. cf. actinomorphic.