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gum |
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SUBSTANCE |
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A highly viscous and sticky exudate that becomes more or less elastic and/or deformably solid upon drying. Overlaps conceptually with latex. |
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ribbed 2 |
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solid shape |
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Having two or more prominent, elongate, relatively narrow, essentially parallel protrusions that extend over all or most of its length or circumference. |
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latrorse |
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dehiscence |
anther |
Opening laterally, on the tangential sides. See also extrorse, introrse. |
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sporophyte |
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PLANT |
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The main, ultimate, spore-bearing stage in the diploid (2n chromosomes) phase of a taxon's life cycle. Two morphologically and genetically distinct and alternate phases together constitute the complete life cycle in sexually reproducing taxa, the other phase (gametophytic) being haploid (n chromosomes). Any taxon whose life cycle is confined to one or the other phase is limited to asexual means of reproduction, since sexual reproduction with consequent genetic recombination is impossible without alternation between haploid and diploid states via meiosis and fertilization. The term sporophytic applies to any part of the diploid phase, including all unicellular to multicellular entities belonging to it, whereas sporophyte is reserved for the principal and directly spore-producing stage of that phase. |
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face |
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FEATURE |
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A relatively large, flat or shallowly curved portion of the external surface of a three-dimensional structure, bounded by more or less distinct topological discontinuities. |
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obcordate |
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plane shape |
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Inversely cordate (heart-shaped). |
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poricidal |
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dehiscence |
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Forming one or more apertures in the exterior wall, usually apically or sub-apically, through which the contents pass to the outside. |
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staminate |
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architecture |
inflorescence, flower, floret |
Having functional stamens but no functional pistils, thus unisexual and male. |
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acicular 1 |
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plane shape |
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Very slenderly elongate, widest near the middle, and gradually attenuate to an acute apex and a blunter base; like the lateral outline of a needle. |
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ocrea pl. ocreae var. ochrea |
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STRUCTURE |
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A tubular sheath that encircles a stem at a node, subtending a petiole; thought to have arisen evolutionarily by lateral fusion of two stipules; in Polygonaceae. |
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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. |
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horizontal |
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orientation |
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Parallel to the horizon, perpendicular to the force of gravity. |
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ovary |
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STRUCTURE |
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The proximal portion of a pistil (either simple or compound) within which the ovules are borne; usually of somewhat greater diameter and/or volume than the remainder of the pistil. |
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diplotegium pl. diplotegia |
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nominative |
fruit |
A pyxis with accessory tissue adnate to the pericarp; derived from an inferior ovary. |
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anadromous |
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venation |
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Having the first lateral vein in each pinna or primary segment of the frond arise from its midvein on the side toward the apex of the frond, the pinnule or secondary segment that it leads to often disproportionately larger than the next distal ones. |
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loculicidal |
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dehiscence |
fruit |
Splitting longitudinally through the outer wall(s) and directly into the locule(s), between the sutures, if any. |
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calyculate 2 |
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architecture |
flower |
Subtended by a calyculus (epicalyx). |
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umbilicate |
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solid shape |
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Having a relatively small, transversely round, central depression in an essentially round broad face. |
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anthela pl. anthelae |
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nominative |
inflorescence |
A cyme with the main axis markedly shorter than the lateral axes, appearing generally paniculate when compound; esp. in Juncaceae. |
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subequal |
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size |
equivalent structures |
Nearly uniform in extent. See also equal, unequal. |
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anthelate |
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architecture |
inflorescence |
Comprising one or more anthelae; esp. in Juncaceae. |
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marcescent |
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duration |
structure |
Persistent in a distinctly withered condition. |
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microgametophyte |
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PLANT |
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A gametophyte whose fertile organs (gametangia) are all antheridia. |
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ramal |
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position |
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Upon or otherwise directly associated with the stem branches. |
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centralium pl. centralia |
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FEATURE |
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A central longitudinal cavity within the seed; esp. in Arecaceae (Palmae). |
