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. |
extrafloral |
|
position |
|
Outside and proximal to the flower; esp. nectaries. |
aromatic |
|
odor |
|
Having a distinct odor; usually restricted to pleasant odors. |
nut |
|
nominative |
fruit |
Relatively large, indehiscent, one-loculed, one-seeded and with a thick, hard, sometimes osseous pericarp; derived from a single, simple or compound ovary. See also acorn (glans). |
thallus 1 pl. thalli |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
The vegetative portion of a shoot when not differentiated into stem and leaves; esp. in Lemnaceae. |
polyplicate |
|
architecture |
pollen grain |
Inaperturate with meridional folds, thus appearing longitudinally wrinkled. |
herbaceous 1 |
|
habit |
plant |
Having no significant degree of secondary growth in any part of the shoot, which thus does not develop woody (lignified) tissue. |
herbaceous 2 |
|
texture |
|
Composed entirely of relatively soft, non-woody (unlignified) tissues derived from primary growth. |
sawtooth |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
One of a series of regularly spaced, angular, marginal convexities oriented at an acute angle to the generalized perimeter of a laminar structure. See also sawtoothlet, scallop (crena), scalloplet (crenule), tooth, toothlet. |
basicaulous |
|
position |
|
At or very near the stem base. |
orientation |
|
CHARACTER |
|
Attitude or direction with respect to some explicit or implicit structure(s) or context. The lexicon relating to orientation includes some conceptually complex terms whose meanings also embrace aspects of structural composition or shape. Overlaps conceptually with arrangement, habit, insertion, position, and shape. |
dimidiate |
|
plane shape |
|
Halved, figuratively; bilaterally asymmetric, nearly or wholly lacking one side as implicitly compared with some corresponding bilaterally symmetric structure, real or imagined. |
stipule scar |
|
FEATURE |
|
A scar on a stem or petiole due to abscission of a stipule; having an outline like that of a transverse section through the base of the stipule inserted there; variously disposed, usually in pairs, adjacent to a point of leaf insertion, sometimes confluent with the leaf scar, sometimes confluent with stipule scars associated with an opposite leaf, the two sets of scars then more or less encircling the axis. |
clustered 1 |
|
arrangement |
|
Disposed in one or more aggregates, the members of each inserted close together, thence widely divergent from one another. |
palmatipinnate |
|
architecture |
foliaceous structure |
Compound with two orders of leaflets, the first order palmate, the second pinnate. |
umbel |
|
nominative |
inflorescence |
Pedunculate, determinate or indeterminate, simple or compound and apparently polychotomous, with one or more pedicellate flowers terminating each ultimate axis, the pedicels of each such floral set and the branches (rays) arising from each axial subdivision diverging from each other like the ribs of an umbrella, the whole plane, convex or concave distally. |
adherent |
|
fusion |
dissimilar structure(s) |
Superficially joined with or to one or more other dissimilar structures, the connection(s) with no significant histological continuity. See also coherent. |
foliose 2 |
|
architecture |
thallus |
Having leaf-like lobes; in Hepaticae. |
mamma pl. mammae |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A rounded-conoidal protrusion, resembling the breast of a mammal. |
infrafoliar |
|
position |
|
Upon the stem directly below a leaf insertion. |
meniscoid |
|
solid shape |
|
Relatively thin with opposite, round, broad faces, one convex and one concave (as viewed externally), the circumferential edge angular or rounded; like a meniscus. See also discoid (disciform), lenticular (biconvex, lens-shaped), patelliform (kneecap-shaped). |
succulent |
|
texture |
|
Herbaceous and juicy, often thickened (incrassate). |
involucre 1 |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
One or more closely proximate whorls, or a compact spiral, of bracts immediately subtending an inflorescence, the bracts sometimes leaf-like, sometimes petaloid. |
pericarp |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
The portion of a fruit wall that is derived from the ovary wall; consisting of three more or less distinct tissue layers (exocarp or epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp) that may or may not differ greatly in structure and/or function; the wall of a fruit, excluding any tissues of extra-ovarian (accessory) origin. |
enlarged |
|
size |
|
Unusually or unexpectedly large. |