|
apolar |
|
architecture |
pollen grain, spore |
Lacking morphologically evident polarity. |
|
rachilla 1 var. rhachilla |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A second- or higher-order axis of a compound leaf blade, bearing higher-order rachillae, leaflets, pinnules and/or tendrils. |
|
…ciliate |
|
architecture |
|
Bearing the number of cilia indicated by the prefix. |
|
oblate |
|
solid shape |
|
Symmetrically elongate and broader than long perpendicular to the developmental or polar axis. |
|
asymmetric(al) 2 |
|
architecture |
flower |
Having the perianth members in whorls that are irregular and/or unequal in number of members. |
|
fluted |
|
solid shape |
|
Having rounded to angular longitudinal grooves. |
|
microsporocarp |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A sporocarp that bears only microsporangia. |
|
spiculate |
|
relief |
|
Having small, fine, stiff, acute protrusions that resemble little spikes. See also scabridulous (scabrellate, scabrellous, which is not clearly distinct in its application. |
|
barbed 2 |
|
solid shape |
|
Having one or more relatively short, stiff, acutely inserted or bent, antrorse or retrorse, terminal and/or lateral hook-like appendages; esp. awns or setae. |
|
mucronate |
|
apex |
|
Terminating abruptly in a short, hard point that is a continuation of vascular tissue. See also apiculate, mucronulate. |
|
barbellulate |
|
architecture |
|
Bearing one or more barbellules (barbellulae). |
|
herbaceous 1 |
|
habit |
plant |
Having no significant degree of secondary growth in any part of the shoot, which thus does not develop woody (lignified) tissue. |
|
submergent |
|
location |
structure of aquatic plant |
Descending from above the water surface to a point beneath it. |
|
crassate |
|
architecture |
|
Relatively thick for the type of structure or in the taxonomic context. |
|
gametophyte |
|
PLANT |
|
The main, ultimate, gamete-bearing stage in the haploid (n chromosomes) phase of a taxon's life cycle. Two morphologically and genetically distinct and alternate stages together constitute the complete life cycle in sexually reproducing taxa, the other phase (sporophytic) being diploid (2n chromosomes). Any taxon whose life cycle is confined to one or the other phase is limited to asexual means of reproduction, since sexual reproduction and consequent genetic recombination are impossible without alternation between haploid and diploid states via meiosis and fertilization. The term gametophytic applies to any part of the haploid phase, including all unicellular to multicellular entities belonging to it, whereas gametophyte is reserved for the principal and directly gamete-producing stage of that phase. In all vascular plant taxa the sporophyte is the dominant and most conspicuous phase of the life cycle. The gametophytes of "lower" vascular plants (ferns and "fern-allies") are physically independent of the sporophytes and, though inconspicuous, merit description in their own rights. Those of gymnosperms and angiosperms are minute and physically dependent upon (contained within) sporophytic structures and are not usually included in morphological descriptions. In the flowering plants at least, the haploid phase is (presumably evolutionarily) reduced to such a degree that the existence of gametophytes per se is debatable. |
|
porosity |
|
CHARACTER |
|
Presence and disposition of vessels (pores) in wood (xylem). |
|
biennial 2 |
|
nominative |
plant |
Of biennial duration. |
|
peloric |
|
architecture |
corolla |
Regular when the usual condition in the taxon is irregular. |
|
unisexual |
|
reproduction |
|
Having functional reproductive structures of only one sex. See also imperfect, pistillate, staminate. |
|
glome |
|
nominative |
inflorescence |
A rounded cluster of sessile or subsessile flowers that are inserted very close together and oriented divergently, the whole more or less hemispheric and sessile or subsessile. |
|
integument |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A distinct layer of tissue that encloses and serves to protect the other tissues of an organ, especially a seed. |
|
petal |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
One of the one or more constituent members of a corolla; colored and showy in many taxa, inconspicuous in size and/or color in others; may be distinct or else connate with one or more others, and/or may be free or else adnate to one or more other floral structures. |
|
epinastic |
|
development |
laminar structure |
Having the adaxial surface differentiating and growing faster than the abaxial surface, thus, until maturity, development of the former more advanced than that of the latter at any given time and the structure as a whole revolute or recurved. |
|
sheath (leaf) |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
The lower (basal or proximal), fundamentally laminar but strongly involute portion of one of the non-petiolate leaves characteristic of most monocotyledons (Liliidae); distinct from the leaf blade, which, when present, is borne distally upon it; analogous, though not necessarily homologous, with a petiole; usually more or less completely enclosing a portion of the stem above the node from which the leaf is borne. |
|
imperfect |
|
architecture |
flower |
Having either stamens or pistils absent or non-functional, thus unisexual. |
