coating |
|
CHARACTER |
|
Exudate that covers the surface proper. See also indumentum (vesture), pubescence. |
cruciate 2 |
= cross-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Having two elongate, basically straight portions intersecting at a point interior to the ends of each. |
dolabriform |
= axe-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Elongate, basally terete, becoming strongly compressed toward an abruptly and unilaterally broader apex; like an axe (handle plus head). This term is not semantically distinct from dolabrate, but botanically they have had somewhat different applications. |
rhytidomal |
|
insertion |
|
Within, upon, or otherwise directly associated with the bark. |
exudation |
|
CHARACTER |
|
Discharged substance, as to type. |
semiterete |
= half-terete |
solid shape |
|
Terete but flattened on one side. |
spore case |
= sporangium |
STRUCTURE |
|
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. |
subterranean |
= hypogeal, hypogeous |
location |
|
Within the ground, beneath its surface. |
tortuous |
|
course |
|
Strongly irregular with sharp bends and/or curves. |
velvety |
= velutinous |
pubescence |
|
Of or bearing dense, moderately firm, more or less erect, capillate trichomes, like velvet pile to the touch. |
ascidium pl. ascidia |
= pitcher, pitcher-blade |
STRUCTURE |
|
An ascidiform (pitcher-shaped) leaf blade, sometimes operculate (lidded), usually carnivorous; esp. in Nepenthaceae, Sarraceniaceae. |
margin |
|
CHARACTER |
|
Configuration of all or part of the periphery of a planate structure, sometimes referred to as though it were discrete and an entity in its own right for descriptive purposes. The extent of the area considered to pertain to the margin in a given case is, of necessity, subjectively determined. As a general rule, peripheral concavities that do not exceed 1/5 the distance from the generalized edge to the center or main axis of the structure are considered components of marginal configuration, deeper concavities being considered components of overall shape. The margin is sometimes considered to be only the infinitely thin boundary itself, and such a definition is probably the one most technically correct from the standpoint of geometry and general usage. However, it is inconsistent with traditional usage in descriptive botany, which treats the margin as an entity of substance both semantically and conceptually. The semantic antecedent of some descriptors is "margin," whereas the antecedent of others is the structure as a whole (e.g., leaf). |
bud |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A rudimentary, unexpanded stem, stem branch, inflorescence, inflorescence branch, or flower, or a combination thereof, in a resting state; enveloped or not by subtending protective scales. |
obdeltate |
|
plane shape |
|
Approximately equilaterally triangular, broadest distally, and regularly attenuate to an angular base; inversely deltate; equilaterally cuneate. |
circinate 2 |
|
vernation |
|
Having each leaf (frond) rolled adaxially from the sides and downward from the apex, forming a tight, flat coil; esp. in Polypodiophyta. |
costule |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A longitudinal primary vein in a diminutive laminar structure, such as the blade of a leaflet, pinna or pinnule; a diminutive costa (rib). |
porous |
|
porosity |
|
Having vessels present. |
remote |
= distant |
arrangement |
|
Disposed relatively far from one another along the axis. |
equitant |
|
arrangement |
|
Alternate, distichous, basal, and congested, each conduplicate with its lateral edges overlapping and/or overlapped by those of the immediately adjacent one(s). |
scrotum-shaped |
= scrotiform |
solid shape |
|
Saccate (bag-, pouch- or sack-shaped) and somewhat swollen bilaterally in the distal portion; like a scrotum. |
style |
|
STRUCTURE |
|
A narrow, usually elongate, ontogenetically distal portion of a simple or compound pistil, overtopping the ovary and bearing one or more stigmas; arising from the summit of the ovary, but sometimes apparently from its base at maturity to ontogenetic displacement from its primordial distal position. In a compound pistil the various simple (carpellary) components of the style(s) may not be connate over their entire lengths; the pistil is then regarded as having a branched style or styles. |
infrafoliar |
|
insertion |
|
Upon the stem directly below a leaf insertion. |
lepis pl. lepides |
= squama; < scale, trichome |
STRUCTURE |
|
A relatively thick, planate trichome. See also squamella. |
unilateral 3 |
= one-sided |
position |
|
Upon or arising from one side only of the bearing structure. |
aciculate |
|
coloration |
|
Having fine, irregularly oriented, straight streaks of contrasting hue and/or intensity. |