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acetabuliform |
|
solid shape |
|
Transversely circular, broader than long, widest near or at the middle, relatively thin-walled, the hollow interior open distally; like a shallow bowl with strongly incurved sides. |
|
imperfect |
|
architecture |
flower |
Having either stamens or pistils absent or non-functional, thus unisexual. |
|
paniculate |
|
architecture |
inflorescence |
Comprising one or more panicles. |
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adventitious root |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A root that arises laterally from some part of a shoot, often from the lower portion of a main stem. |
|
infrapetiolar |
|
position |
bud |
Axillary and surrounded by the petiole base at maturity. |
|
sheathing 2 |
|
base |
laminar structure |
Terete or involute and closely enclosing the supporting axis for some distance above the point of insertion. |
|
utricle |
|
nominative |
fruit |
Dry, indehiscent, one-seeded and with the pericarp thin and free from the seed; derived from a single, superior, simple ovary. |
|
mesocarp |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
The middle tissue layer of the pericarp of a fruit. |
|
iridescent |
|
coloration |
|
Reflecting a pattern colors from throughout the visible spectrum, the pattern changing with the angle of view. |
|
perigynium 1 pl. perigynia |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
Two whorls of bracts, scales or setae immediately subtending the ovary, sometimes cupulate (cup-shaped) or ampulliform (flask-shaped, lageniform) and investing the fruit (achene); in Cyperaceae. |
|
callus |
|
FEATURE |
|
A small, relatively hard covering, outgrowth, or swelling of tissue; esp. in axes of grass (Poaceae) inflorescences just distal to points of eventual disarticulation. |
|
entire |
|
margin |
|
Uninterrupted; not deviating significantly from its general line, thus lacking any localized convexities or concavities. |
|
repand |
|
margin |
|
Gently or shallowly sinuate. |
|
annulus 2 pl. annuli |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A row of protruding specialized sporangial wall cells that extends upward from the base of the sporangium and over its apex, thus forming an incomplete circumferential ring; esp. in Polypodiophyta. The inner and radial walls of the annular cells are markedly thickened and the structure functions as a spore-releasing and -disseminating mechanism as a result of differential stresses developed within the mature sporangial wall upon desiccation. |
|
spicule |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A small, fine, stiff, acute protrusion that resembles a little spike. |
|
gum |
|
SUBSTANCE |
|
A highly viscous and sticky exudate that becomes more or less elastic and/or deformably solid upon drying. Overlaps conceptually with latex. |
|
ribbed 2 |
|
solid shape |
|
Having two or more prominent, elongate, relatively narrow, essentially parallel protrusions that extend over all or most of its length or circumference. |
|
apotropous |
|
orientation |
ovule |
Anatropous but the whole recurved such that the raphe (adnate portion of the funiculus) faces the ovary wall (placenta) and the ovule is parallel to it, the micropyle facing the free basal portion of the funiculus. |
|
latrorse |
|
dehiscence |
anther |
Opening laterally, on the tangential sides. See also extrorse, introrse. |
|
sporophyte |
|
PLANT |
|
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. |
|
face |
|
FEATURE |
|
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. |
|
obcordate |
|
plane shape |
|
Inversely cordate (heart-shaped). |
|
poricidal |
|
dehiscence |
|
Forming one or more apertures in the exterior wall, usually apically or sub-apically, through which the contents pass to the outside. |
|
staminate |
|
architecture |
inflorescence, flower, floret |
Having functional stamens but no functional pistils, thus unisexual and male. |
|
cilium 2 pl. cilia |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A motile hair- or whip-like structure extending from the surface of a cell. |
