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venation |
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CHARACTER |
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Configuration of laminar vasculature as to its hierarchical organization and the dispositions of component orders. For descriptive purposes, the orders of vasculature are ranked with reference only to the lamina in point, irrespective of rank within any larger vascular context. |
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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). |
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odor |
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CHARACTER |
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Olfactory stimulation. |
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sculpture |
= relief |
CHARACTER |
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General topographic aspect of a surface. Overlaps conceptually with solid shape. |
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texture |
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CHARACTER |
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Substantial properties. Overlaps conceptually with solid shape, as to thickness. |
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position |
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CHARACTER |
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Location or disposition with reference to some dissimilar structure(s) or larger context. The lexicons relating to position and insertion overlap to a great degree, since these two morphological concepts are often inseparable in practice. Also overlaps conceptually with arrangement, habit, orientation, and shape. |
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development |
= ontogeny |
CHARACTER |
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Mode or pattern of growth and differentiation. |
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course |
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CHARACTER |
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Linear pattern of the centerline through the length of an axis or vein. |
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vernation |
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CHARACTER |
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Disposition of leaves in the bud. |
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maturation |
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CHARACTER |
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Timing of the attainment of functional maturity, sometimes relative to other structures, sometimes as to constituent structures relative to each other. |
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architecture |
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CHARACTER |
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Composite structural configuration as to type, orientation, symmetry, insertion, position, fusion, presence, number, relative size, shape, texture, differentiation, and/or derivation of components and features. Overlaps conceptually with habit. |
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presence |
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CHARACTER |
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Occurrence within the context in point. |
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reproduction |
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CHARACTER |
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Type, morphology, disposition, function and/or dissemination of reproductive structures. |
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fusion |
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CHARACTER |
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Physical connection of equivalent or dissimilar structural entities (as recognized on evolutionary, morphological, anatomical, ontogenetic, and/or topological grounds). Terms that denote the interconnection of equivalent structures are predicated on a single collective subject and suffice in themselves to describe the condition; e.g., "sepals connate." However, those that denote the connection of dissimilar structures require explicit notation of each type of structure involved, in either a compound-subject construction or else a single-subject/object-of-preposition construction; e.g., "stamens and corolla adnate" or "stamens adnate to corolla." Qualifying detail is sometimes appropriate; e.g., "filaments connate basally," "filaments adnate to the petals over their lower halves." |
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insertion |
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CHARACTER |
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Mode or locus of attachment of a structure to some dissimilar bearing structure. The lexicons relating to insertion and position overlap to a great degree, since these two morphological concepts are often inseparable in practice. Also overlaps conceptually with arrangement, habit, orientation, and shape. |
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coloration |
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CHARACTER |
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Hue(s), intensity(ies), and/or pattern (if any) of coloring. When more than one hue and/or intensity is involved, a term describing the pattern of contrast will be applicable, and the description as a whole should be phrased to indicate the particular role of each in the pattern; e.g., "ovaries striate, yellow on green"; "petals pink, spotted yellow basally"; "sepals green, suffused with red". |
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apex pl. apices |
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CHARACTER |
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Configuration of the uppermost, distal, or terminal portion of a structure, its extent determined somewhat subjectively in relation to the shape of the structure as a whole. The concept of apex varies from one descriptive context to another, since the apex is not a clearly delimited, morphologically distinct entity. The terms for describing apical condition are not strictly coordinate logically — some are more inclusive than others, some describe conditions involving what can be regarded as appendages, and some refer to the apex in a developmental as well as a strictly topological sense — and precise characterization may require using more than one descriptor. The semantic antecedent of some descriptors is "apex," whereas the antecedent of others is the structure as a whole (e.g., leaf ). |
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solid shape |
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CHARACTER |
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Overall three-dimensional form or aspect(s) thereof. Overlaps conceptually with architecture, arrangement, habit, insertion, orientation, position, relief, and texture (as to thickness). |
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ontogeny |
= development |
CHARACTER |
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Mode or pattern of growth and differentiation. |
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dehiscence |
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CHARACTER |
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Mode of opening (splitting or forming apertures). |
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pubescence |
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CHARACTER |
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Collective aspect of trichomes borne on the surface. Many of the terms traditionally used for describing pubescence have been defined and used in so many differing and often contradictory ways that they have become hopelessly ambiguous. This is attributable mainly to overdefinition within this portion of the traditional lexicon — that is, to highly arbitrary and widely variant restriction of a term's scope to some one detailed combination of trichome character states (shape, size, orientation, etc.). By derivation these are essentially general terms, really suited only for denoting overall aspect. The diversity actually encountered in nature defies comprehensive and unambiguous resolution into any limited suite of precisely specified, mutually exclusive, complex character states that can be associated with these terms, which are best used only in their general senses. Sometimes, such description will be sufficient in itself; more often, additionally or alternatively, the various attributes of the individual trichomes should be described. This is the only strategy that allows for full description of any possible condition, including the presence of more than one type of trichome. The various terms used for describing pubescence have never been semantically consistent; in some cases they refer to the trichomes themselves, while in others they apply to the bearing surface or structure; e.g., sericeous (the trichomes themselves are collectively silky) versus barbate (the structure is bearded). See also coating, indumentum (vesture). |
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habit |
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CHARACTER |
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General appearance and/or function, usually including explicit or implicit reference to one or more aspects of habitat or other features of the external environment; a logically imprecise traditional category of terms that overlaps conceptually with architecture, arrangement, duration, insertion, location, orientation, position, shape, and texture. |
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placentation |
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CHARACTER |
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Disposition of the placenta(e) within an ovary. |
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fixation |
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CHARACTER |
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Mode of attachment to a supporting structure. |
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base |
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CHARACTER |
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Configuration of the lowermost or proximal portion of a structure, its extent determined somewhat subjectively in relation to the shape of the structure as a whole. The concept of base varies from one descriptive context to another, since the base is not a clearly delimited, morphologically distinct entity. The terms for describing basal condition are not strictly coordinate logically — some are more inclusive than others, and some describe conditions involving what can be regarded as appendages — and precise characterization may require using more than one descriptor. The semantic antecedent of some descriptors is "base," whereas the antecedent of others is the structure as a whole (e.g., leaf ). |
