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root 2 |
= radix |
STRUCTURE |
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A vascularized, primary or higher-order (branch) axis that is not differentiated into nodes and internodes and that branches endogenously, together with any non-axial structures borne from it; usually growing below ground level, but sometimes structurally and functionally specialized and growing wholly or partly aboveground (e.g. aerial root, knee root, pneumatophore). |
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oblate |
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solid shape |
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Symmetrically elongate and broader than long perpendicular to the developmental or polar axis. |
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commissure |
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FEATURE |
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Precisely, the joint or common boundary between the facing surfaces of two coherent or mutually appressed structures such as mericarps or stigmas, but traditionally (though imprecisely) applied to such a facing surface itself. |
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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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tri… 2 |
= thrice-…, triple-… |
prefix |
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Indicating presence of three hierarchical orders of the type of entity or pattern denoted by the term's stem; as in tripinnate. See also entries for particular terms beginning with this prefix whose meanings, at least in some applications, are more specific than usually indicated by such combination. |
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median |
= central, medial |
position |
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At, upon, or closely ranged about the structural or symmetrical midpoint or axis. |
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flange |
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STRUCTURE |
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A relatively broad, circumferential rim or ridge that protrudes laterally. |
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carinate |
= keeled |
solid shape |
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Having an elongate median longitudinal ridge that is basically triangular in transverse section, resembling the keel of a boat; esp. a leaf blade or sheath, glume, lemma, palea, sepal or petal. |
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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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acute |
= sharp |
apex |
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Sharply angular; regularly and more or less straightly attenuate to an angular tip, the sides intersecting at an angle of less than 90°. |
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reticulate 3 |
= netted |
relief |
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Having prominulous, more or less regularly interconnected lines. |
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vallecular |
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insertion |
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In or otherwise directly associated with the valleculae; esp. in fruits of Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). |
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nine-… |
= ennea… |
prefix |
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Indicating presence of or constitution by nine entities of the type denoted by the term's stem; as in nine-carpelled, nine-loculed, nine-tepaled. |
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small-dotted |
= puncticulate |
coloration |
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Finely dotted (punctate). |
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headed 2 |
= capitate |
solid shape |
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Abruptly enlarged distally to a relatively short, terminal portion that is basically round in transverse section. |
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close |
= approximate |
arrangement |
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Disposed relatively near to one another. |
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lateral vein |
>< costa, primary vein, rib; > secondary vein |
STRUCTURE |
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A longitudinal primary vein (costa, rib) that runs to one side of the midline, or a secondary vein that runs toward the lateral margin. See also tertiary vein, veinlet. |
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fetid |
= putrid |
odor |
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Stinking like rotting flesh. |
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scale 1 |
< bract |
STRUCTURE |
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A basically dry, more or less appressed, diminutive bract. The choice of term as between the more general bract and the more restricted scale is sometimes problematic and, when so, often is dictated by custom according to the structure and taxon involved. |
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ovoid |
= egg-shaped |
solid shape |
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Transversely circular, broadest near a bluntly rounded base, and convexly attenuate to a narrower rounded apex; like a fowl egg. See also obovoid. |
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stamen |
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STRUCTURE |
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A seed-plant organ that produces and releases pollen; usually comprising a stalk (filament) that bears a locular structure (anther) containing sporogenous tissue; however, the filament may be lacking and the anther sessile, or the stamen may be undifferentiated, the whole then consisting of microsporangia embedded in or borne upon the surface of a more or less planate body of sterile tissue; one of the constituent organs of a bisexual or a staminate flower; may be distinct or else connate with one or more others and/or may be free or else adnate with one or more other floral structures. |
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incised |
= cut, lacerate, torn; > laciniate, slashed |
plane shape |
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Having straight to irregular lines of separation extending inward from the margin. See also cleft (dissected, divided, lobate, lobed, parted, partite, segmented). |
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abaxial |
= dorsal (not recommended) |
position |
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On or pertaining to the side or portion of a lateral structure that faces (or would face) away from the bearing axis when (or if) the axis of the lateral structure is (or were) oriented in the same general direction as the bearing axis. |
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coroniform |
= crown-shaped |
solid shape |
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Shortly and broadly tubular overall, circumferentially continuous at the base, distally so or not; like a monarch's crown. |
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prop root |
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STRUCTURE |
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A relatively stout adventitious root arising from the lower portion of a main stem and extending outward and downward toward the substrate, within which it ultimately becomes anchored, thus buttressing the aboveground portion of the plant. |
