seed |
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STRUCTURE |
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A mature or ripened ovule containing an embryonic sporophyte and a nutritive tissue (endosperm or perisperm) with stored food that sustains the initial growth of the embryo upon germination, except when such food reserve is stored instead in the cotyledon(s) of the embryo itself, these enclosed by one or two integuments (the testa), the whole serving as a propagule. A fertile seed (one containing a viable embryo) normally results from sexual fertilization of an egg by a sperm; however, fertile seeds are sometimes produced asexually by apomictic processes (e.g., parthenogenesis). |
involute 2 |
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vernation |
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Each rolled adaxially from the lateral margins. |
scaly 2 |
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architecture |
bud, bulb |
Invested by scale-like (squamiform) structures. |
lenticel |
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STRUCTURE |
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A specialized, anatomically distinct structure within the periderm of a stem, consisting of comparatively spongy, sometimes suberized tissue distinct from others of the periderm; extending radially through the periderm and visible as a circular to elongate discontinuity in the color, texture, and/or relief of the outer surface of the stem; serving as a conduit for gas exchange between the stem interior and the atmosphere. |
lanulose |
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pubescence |
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Finely lanate. |
spore |
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STRUCTURE |
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A simple, usually unicellular, sometimes oligocellular propagule derived by meiotic division of a diploid (2n chromosomes) sporocyte within a sporangium, thus of haploid (n chromosomes) genetic constitution. A spore constitutes the first ontogenetic stage of a gametophytic generation and gives rise to a usually multicellular gametophyte upon germination. Though technically present in seed-bearing plants, by itself it is descriptively significant only in those taxa that do not produce seeds. |
barbellate |
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architecture |
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Bearing one or more barbels. |
spiculate |
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relief |
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Having small, fine, stiff, acute protrusions that resemble little spikes. See also scabridulous (scabrellate, scabrellous, which is not clearly distinct in its application. |
diffuse-porous |
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porosity |
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Homogeneously porous, the vessels not differentially disposed by size or number. |
microsporangium pl. microsporangia |
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STRUCTURE |
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A sporangium that produces microspores. |
drupelet |
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nominative |
fruit |
Diminutively drupe-like but derived from one of the simple, superior ovaries of an apocarpous flower, having a fleshy fruit wall and a hard seed (pyrene) within, a distinct constituent in an aggregate fruit; esp. in Rosaceae. |
asymmetric(al) 2 |
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architecture |
flower |
Having the perianth members in whorls that are irregular and/or unequal in number of members. |
symmetric(al) 2 |
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architecture |
flower |
Having the perianth members in whorls that are actinomorphic and equal in number of members. |
mucro pl. mucrones, mucros |
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STRUCTURE |
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A short, hard, apical point that is a continuation of vascular tissue. See also apiculum. |
obvolute 1 |
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arrangement |
cotyledons |
Having each cotyledon folded inward longitudinally, the two facing one another with their edges overlapping alternately (each enveloping one side or the other). |
superposed 1 |
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arrangement |
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Approximate to congested, inserted directly above and below one another. |
obcordiform |
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solid shape |
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Inversely cordiform (heart-shaped). |
eucamptodromous |
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venation |
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Having a single median primary vein that branches to either side along the length of the lamina, the secondary veins upwardly arcuate, gradually becoming indistinct interior to the margin, and serially interconnected by cross-branches without formation of marginal loops. |
amphimictic |
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reproduction |
taxon, plant |
Reproducing sexually. |
terete |
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solid shape |
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Elongate and transversely round, gradually attenuate from base to apex; attenuate-cylindric or attenuate-tubular, broadest at the base. See also obterete. |
perennate |
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duration |
structure |
Persisting in a functional state through the entire growing season. |
veinlet |
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STRUCTURE |
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A strand belonging to the ultimate (least in diameter) order of vasculature in a leaf or other basically laminar structure when that order consists of strands ending freely within areoles and/or connecting distally by pairs across areoles; absent in some taxa. See also costa (rib), lateral vein, midvein (midnerve, midrib), primary vein, secondary vein, tertiary vein, vein (nerve). |
transverse 2 |
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orientation |
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Perpendicular to the long axis of the context of reference. |
farina pl. farinae, farinas |
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SUBSTANCE |
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A dry, meal- or flour-like covering. |
pliestesial |
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duration |
plant |
Perennial and monocarpic, living several to many years before reproducing sexually, dying promptly thereafter. |