hydathode |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A multicellular, anatomically distinctive structure located within a leaf at its periphery, its cells surrounding a central canal that opens to the exterior, through which water is actively discharged under humid conditions that impede the rate of transpiration; this liquid discharge is termed guttation. |
secund 2 |
|
architecture |
stem |
Having the petioles oriented such that the main bodies of all the leaves lie to one side of the bearing stem. |
tubular |
|
solid shape |
|
Cylindric or attenuate-cylindric overall and with a hollow interior open at one or both ends. |
disciform 2 |
|
architecture |
capitulum (head) |
Bearing one or more peripheral series of florets that are usually pistillate and that have relatively slender actinomorphic corollas, and one or more central series of florets that are bisexual or functionally staminate and that have relatively broader actinomorphic corollas; in Asteraceae (Compositae). |
floral |
|
position |
|
Upon, within, or associated with the flowers. |
lumen pl. lumina |
|
FEATURE |
|
A space enclosed by the wall(s) or membrane(s) of a structure. |
pseudopetiole |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A distinctly constricted, more or less stalk-like, proximal portion of a leaf, evolutionarily derived from the blade, the original petiole reduced to the point of absence or vestigiality; esp. in Poaceae (Gramineae). |
collar 2 |
|
FEATURE |
|
The junction between the sheath and blade of a leaf; esp. in Poaceae (Gramineae). |
bottom-rooted |
|
habit |
plant |
Aquatic and rooted in the substrate beneath the water. |
incumbent 2 |
|
orientation |
anther |
Oppositely parallel to the filament on the adaxial side of the latter. |
fragrant |
|
odor |
|
Sweet or otherwise pleasant. |
maturation |
|
CHARACTER |
|
Timing of the attainment of functional maturity, sometimes relative to other structures, sometimes as to constituent structures relative to each other. |
bulbel |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A comparatively small bulb branching laterally from a larger, currently primary one. |
intercostal |
|
insertion |
|
Between the costae. |
valvate 2 |
|
arrangement |
planate structures |
Not overlapping, adjacent members laterally contiguous at their margins. |
elater 2 |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
An elongate, flattened, hygroscopic enation from a spore, straightening upon desiccation and aiding transport by air; esp. in Equisetaceae. |
androecium pl. androecia |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
The stamen(s), staminode(s), if any, and their ontogenetically associated structure(s), if any, of a single flower, taken collectively. |
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. |
cormose |
|
architecture |
plant |
Growing from corms. |
calyx pl. calyces |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
Collectively, the sepals of a flower, whether distinct or connate; the outer or proximal envelope of a differentiated perianth, whether the other envelope (corolla) is also actually present or is deemed to be secondarily absent due to evolutionary reduction. |
jacket cell |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
Any of the cells forming the portion of an antheridial wall between the basal cells and the cap cell(s). |
perulate |
|
architecture |
bud |
Having outer scales that enclose and protect the embryonic components, from which they differ significantly in texture, shape, size, relief and/or vestiture. See also naked. |
vestiture |
|
STRUCTURE / SUBSTANCE |
|
See vesture. |
epichilium |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
The distal portion of a labellum (lip) that has distinct proximal, distal, and sometimes also central parts; in Orchidaceae. See also hypochilium, mesochilium. |
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. |