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lax |
= loose |
architecture |
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Having equivalent constituent parts disposed distant from one another. |
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leaf 1 pl. leaves |
= frond, macrophyll (not recommended), megaphyll; > frond, needle |
STRUCTURE |
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A principal, vegetative shoot organ borne laterally from a stem node; its vascular tissues, if any, continuous with those of the stem; undergoing no significant secondary growth; usually more or less bilaterally symmetrical; comprising a distal, usually laminar blade and/or a proximal stalk (petiole) or sheath; usually a primary site of photosynthesis. |
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leaf 2 pl. leaves |
= microphyll |
STRUCTURE |
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A small, lateral, leaf-like enation that, evolutionarily, is not a true leaf, i.e., whose vasculature, if any, consists of only a single median strand not ontogenetically integral with the vasculature of the bearing stem and not associated with leaf gaps in the stele of the stem; in Psilotophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta. |
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leaf scar |
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FEATURE |
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A scar on a twig or stem due to abscission of a megaphyll; having an outline like that of a transverse section through the base of the petiole, sheath, or blade that was inserted there. |
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leaf-bearing |
= foliate |
architecture |
plant, axis |
Bearing leaves. |
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leaf-like |
= foliaceous |
architecture |
structure |
Resembling a leaf in shape, texture and color. |
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leaf-opposed |
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insertion |
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Nodal and directly opposite the leaf. |
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leaf-opposed |
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position |
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Nodal and directly opposite the leaf. |
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leafless |
= aphyllous |
architecture |
plant, axis |
Not bearing leaves. |
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leaflet |
> pinna, pinnule |
STRUCTURE |
|
One of the one or more distinct, leaf-like, first- or higher-order divisions of a compound leaf blade; stalked (petiolulate) or sessile; borne upon a rachis or rachilla. |
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leathery |
= coriaceous |
texture |
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Moderately thick, tough, and very pliable. |
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leftward |
= sinistrorse |
orientation |
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Directed to the left, relative to the direction of growth along an explicit or implicit axis of reference. See also rightward (dextrorse). |
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legume |
|
nominative |
fruit |
Dry, septicidal, one-loculed and derived from a single, superior, simple ovary; dehiscing along two sutures, one abaxial, one adaxial; in Fabaceae (Leguminosae). See also loment. |
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lemma pl. lemmata, lemmas |
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STRUCTURE |
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The proximal bract of the (usually) two that immediately subtend the flower in a grass (Poaceae) floret; the other is the palea. |
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lens-shaped 1 |
= biconvex, lenticular |
plane shape |
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Elongate, narrow, broadest at the middle, attenuate to acute ends, the sides convex; like the outline of a couble-convex lens viewed from its edge. |
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lens-shaped 2 |
= biconvex, lenticular |
solid shape |
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Relatively thin with two round, convex, opposite broad faces intersecting acutely at the circumferential edge; like a double-convex lens. See also disciform (discoid), meniscoid. |
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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. |
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lenticular 1 |
= biconvex, lens-shaped |
plane shape |
|
Elongate, narrow, broadest at the middle, attenuate to acute ends, the sides convex; like the outline of a double-convex lens viewed from its edge. |
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lenticular 2 |
= biconvex, lens-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Relatively thin with two round, convex, opposite broad faces intersecting acutely at the circumferential edge; like a double-convex lens. See also disciform (discoid), meniscoid. |
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lentiginose |
= dusty, lentiginous |
coating |
|
Covered with a more or less even deposit of minute, dry, macroscopically indistinguishable particles. See also pulverulent (granuliferous, powdery), which is not clearly distinct in its application. |
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lentiginous |
= dusty, lentiginose |
coating |
|
Covered with a more or less even deposit of minute, dry, macroscopically indistinguishable particles. See also pulverulent (granuliferous, powdery), which is not clearly distinct in its application. |
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lepidote |
= squamose; < scaly |
pubescence |
|
Bearing lepides (squamae). See also squamellose. |
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lepis pl. lepides |
= squama; < scale, trichome |
STRUCTURE |
|
A relatively thick, planate trichome. See also squamella. |
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leptosporangiate |
|
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. |
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levering |
|
habit |
trichome |
Forming part of a pappus and reflexing at maturity, thus helping to loosen the individual fruit (cypsela) from the capitulum (head); in Asteraceae (Compositae). |