involucre 1 |
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STRUCTURE |
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One or more closely proximate whorls, or a compact spiral, of bracts immediately subtending an inflorescence, the bracts sometimes leaf-like, sometimes petaloid. |
torus 1 pl. tori |
= receptacle |
STRUCTURE |
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The relatively short, simple, axial structure surmounting a pedicel and basal to the flower, usually broader than the pedicel. |
ventral (not recommended) |
= adaxial |
insertion |
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On or pertaining to the side or portion of a lateral structure that faces (or would face) toward 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. |
marginal |
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insertion |
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Upon or otherwise directly associated with the margins. |
bud scale |
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STRUCTURE |
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A scale that, alone or aggregated with others, envelops and protects a bud. |
obdeltoid |
< three-angled, trigonous, triquetrous |
solid shape |
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Three-angled (trigonous, triquetrous), broadest distally, and regularly attenuate to an angular base; inversely deltoid. |
cottony |
> lanuginose |
pubescence |
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Of or bearing relatively long and fine, intertwined, somewhat matted, capillate trichomes. See also lanuginose. |
reniform 1 |
= kidney-shaped |
plane shape |
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Broadly elongate and arcuate, each end bluntly rounded; like the generalized outline of the broad face of a human kidney. |
sculpture |
= relief |
CHARACTER |
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General topographic aspect of a surface. Overlaps conceptually with solid shape. |
infrafoliar |
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position |
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Upon the stem directly below a leaf insertion. |
texture |
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CHARACTER |
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Substantial properties. Overlaps conceptually with solid shape, as to thickness. |
leptosporangiate |
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reproduction |
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Having relatively small sporangia each of which develops from a single initial cell that, by periclinal division, gives rise to an outer and an inner cell, the former then giving rise to the entire sporangium, including contents and sporangiophore, the latter contributing nothing to it; in some Polypodiophyta. |
unisexual |
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reproduction |
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Having functional reproductive structures of only one sex. See also imperfect, pistillate, staminate. |
acinaciform |
= scimitar-shaped |
solid shape |
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Thin and moderately arcuate with two opposite, plane, broad faces, the degree of curvature increasing distally, thinnest at the convex edge, thicker toward the concave; like a scimitar blade. |
arachnoid |
= cobwebby |
pubescence |
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Of fairly sparse, fine, white, loosely tangled, capillate trichomes. |
longitudinal 1 |
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dehiscence |
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Parallel to the central axis. |
bony |
= osseous |
texture |
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Very hard and rather brittle, like bone. |
centripetal |
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development |
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Proceeding toward the center, thus more advanced peripherally than centrally within a given frame of reference. |
papery |
= chartaceous, papyraceous |
texture |
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Very thin, flexible, and readily torn; like paper. See also membranaceous (membranous), pergamentaceous (parchment-like). |
pliable |
= flexible, pliant, supple |
texture |
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Able to bend over its length and/or breadth without structural disruption. |
determinate |
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development |
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Having the terminal (central, apical, or distal) portion differentiating first and the lateral (peripheral, basal, or proximal) portions later, development thus proceeding sequentially downward or outward, growth of the whole thereby organizationally limited. |
radix pl. radices |
= root |
STRUCTURE |
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A vascularized axis that is not internally differentiated into nodes and internodes and that branches endogenously, serving for anchorage, absorption and/or storage; collectively, all those portions of a plant body not belonging (anatomically) to the shoot. See also adventitious root, climbing root, diffuse root, knee root, primary root, prop root, secondary root, stilt root. |
sawtoothlet |
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STRUCTURE |
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A diminutive sawtooth. See also scallop (crena), scalloplet (crenule), tooth (dens), toothlet. |
slipper-shaped |
= calceolate |
solid shape |
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Relatively thin-walled with an essentially hollow interior that is open on one side at the broader end. |
flesh |
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STRUCTURE |
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Tissue that is fairly firm and dense, juicy or at least moist, and easily cut. |