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spot |
= blotch, macula |
FEATURE |
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An area that differs in color from the rest of a structure's surface, usually due to differing coloration. See also eyespot. |
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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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sporophyll |
= spore leaf; > fertile frond |
STRUCTURE |
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A leaf or homologous structure that bears sporangia. See also megasporophyll (macrosporophyll, not recommended), microsporophyll. |
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sporocarp |
= spore body |
STRUCTURE |
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A multicellular structure that bears and more or less encloses several to (usually) many sporangia, the latter often aggregated into sori within it See also megasporocarp (macrosporocarp, not recommended), microsporocarp. |
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spore leaf |
= sporophyll; > fertile frond |
STRUCTURE |
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A leaf or homologous structure that bears sporangia See also megasporophyll (macrosporophyll, not recommended), microsporophyll. |
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spore case |
= sporangium |
STRUCTURE |
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A spore-producing organ; basically capsular, often supported by a slender stalk (sporangiophore), often lidded (operculate). In Bryophyta and Polypodiophyta, a distinct portion of the sporangial wall effects regular dehiscence at maturity. Spore cases or their equivalents are also present, but of little or no descriptive significance, in seed plants. |
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spore body |
= sporocarp |
STRUCTURE |
|
A multicellular structure that bears and more or less encloses several to (usually) many sporangia, the latter often aggregated into sori within it See also megasporocarp (macrosporocarp, not recommended), microsporocarp. |
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spore |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
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. |
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sporangium pl. sporangia |
= spore case |
STRUCTURE |
|
A spore-producing organ; basically capsular, often supported by a slender stalk (sporangiophore), often operculate (lidded). In Bryophyta and Polypodiophyta, a distinct portion of the sporangial wall effects regular dehiscence at maturity. Sporangia or their equivalents are also present, but of little or no descriptive significance, in seed plants. |
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sporangiophore |
< stalk |
STRUCTURE |
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A stalk that bears one or more sporangia. |
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spongy |
|
texture |
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Soft, light, discontinuous but cohesive, and somewhat resilient. |
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splendent |
= glittering |
reflectance |
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Interruptedly glossy (laevigate, lustrous, polished, shining, shiny) and thus sparkling when viewed from changing angles. |
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spirolobal |
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arrangement |
cotyledons |
Incumbent and folded together transversely. |
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spire-shaped |
= strombuliform |
solid shape |
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Attenuate-spiral in three dimensions, the coils contiguous or not. |
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spiral 3 |
= helical |
course |
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Curving with constant or regularly increasing radius from one end to the other through three dimensions. |
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spiral 2 |
= helical |
course |
|
Curving with regularly increasing radius from one end to the other in one general plane. |
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spiral 1 |
= acyclic, helical |
arrangement |
|
Disposed helically about and along the axis, each on a different radius than the one(s) vertically adjacent. |
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spiny 2 |
= aculeate, spinose |
margin |
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Having slender, stiff, sharp projections oriented in the general plane of the structure. |
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spiny 1 |
= echinate, spinose |
architecture |
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Bearing spines. |
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spinulose |
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apex |
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Finely spinose. |
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spinulose |
|
architecture |
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Finely spinose. |
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spinulose |
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margin |
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Finely spinose. |
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spinose 3 |
= aculeate, spiny |
margin |
|
Having slender, stiff, sharp projections oriented in the general plane of the structure. See also spinulose. |
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spinose 2 |
= echinate, spiny |
architecture |
|
Bearing spines. See also spinulose. |
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spinose 1 |
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apex |
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Terminating in a rigid, tapering, sharp continuation of the central primary vein. See also spinulose. |
