margin |
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CHARACTER |
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Configuration of all or part of the periphery of a planate structure, sometimes referred to as though it were discrete and an entity in its own right for descriptive purposes. The extent of the area considered to pertain to the margin in a given case is, of necessity, subjectively determined. As a general rule, peripheral concavities that do not exceed 1/5 the distance from the generalized edge to the center or main axis of the structure are considered components of marginal configuration, deeper concavities being considered components of overall shape. The margin is sometimes considered to be only the infinitely thin boundary itself, and such a definition is probably the one most technically correct from the standpoint of geometry and general usage. However, it is inconsistent with traditional usage in descriptive botany, which treats the margin as an entity of substance both semantically and conceptually. The semantic antecedent of some descriptors is "margin," whereas the antecedent of others is the structure as a whole (e.g., leaf). |
bud |
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STRUCTURE |
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A rudimentary, unexpanded stem, stem branch, inflorescence, inflorescence branch, or flower, or a combination thereof, in a resting state; enveloped or not by subtending protective scales. |
obdeltate |
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plane shape |
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Approximately equilaterally triangular, broadest distally, and regularly attenuate to an angular base; inversely deltate; equilaterally cuneate. |
circinate 2 |
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vernation |
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Having each leaf (frond) rolled adaxially from the sides and downward from the apex, forming a tight, flat coil; esp. in Polypodiophyta. |
costule |
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STRUCTURE |
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A longitudinal primary vein in a diminutive laminar structure, such as the blade of a leaflet, pinna or pinnule; a diminutive costa (rib). |
porous |
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porosity |
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Having vessels present. |
remote |
= distant |
arrangement |
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Disposed relatively far from one another along the axis. |
equitant |
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arrangement |
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Alternate, distichous, basal, and congested, each conduplicate with its lateral edges overlapping and/or overlapped by those of the immediately adjacent one(s). |
scrotum-shaped |
= scrotiform |
solid shape |
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Saccate (bag-, pouch- or sack-shaped) and somewhat swollen bilaterally in the distal portion; like a scrotum. |
style |
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STRUCTURE |
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A narrow, usually elongate, ontogenetically distal portion of a simple or compound pistil, overtopping the ovary and bearing one or more stigmas; arising from the summit of the ovary, but sometimes apparently from its base at maturity to ontogenetic displacement from its primordial distal position. In a compound pistil the various simple (carpellary) components of the style(s) may not be connate over their entire lengths; the pistil is then regarded as having a branched style or styles. |
infrafoliar |
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insertion |
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Upon the stem directly below a leaf insertion. |
unilateral 3 |
= one-sided |
position |
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Upon or arising from one side only of the bearing structure. |
lepis pl. lepides |
= squama; < scale, trichome |
STRUCTURE |
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A relatively thick, planate trichome. See also squamella. |
aciculate |
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coloration |
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Having fine, irregularly oriented, straight streaks of contrasting hue and/or intensity. |
bole |
= trunk; < main stem, primary stem |
STRUCTURE |
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The relatively stout, columnar, main stem of a distinct aboveground portion of a tree. |
nerve |
= vein; > costa, midnerve , midrib, midvein, rib |
STRUCTURE |
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A strand belonging to any except the ultimate (least in diameter) order of vasculature in a leaf or other foliaceous structure. See also lateral vein, primary vein, secondary vein, tertiary vein, veinlet. |
centrifugal |
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development |
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Proceeding away from the center, thus more advanced centrally than peripherally within a given frame of reference. |
pannose |
< felted |
pubescence |
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Bearing closely intertwined, capillate trichomes that form a dense, felt-like mat. See also panniform. |
convolute 1 |
= contorted |
aestivation |
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Imbricate and whorled, each member in turn overlapped by that to one side and overlapping that to the other, the whole tightly rolled and appearing as though twisted. |
radicle |
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STRUCTURE |
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The primary root, or its primordium, in an embryo; the portion of an embryo axis that develops into the root. |
entire |
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margin |
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Uninterrupted; not deviating significantly from its general line, thus lacking any localized convexities or concavities. |
…-sawtoothed |
= …serrate |
margin |
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Having the number of orders of sawteeth indicated by the prefix, one upon another; as in twice-sawtoothed. See also …-scalloped (…crenate), …-toothed (…dentate). |
flattened |
> complanate, compressed, depressed, obcompressed |
solid shape |
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Convex overall but with one or more sides or ends distinctly deviating toward plane, as though pressed or squeezed there. |
slashed |
= laciniate; < cut, incised, lacerate, torn |
plane shape |
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Having relatively close, more or less straight lines of separation exending inward from the margin. See also cleft (dissected, divided, lobate, lobed, parted, partite, segmented). |
greasy 2 |
= oily, oleaginous, unctuous |
texture |
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Liquid or deformably solid, cohesive, and slippery to the touch. |