viscidium pl. viscidia |
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STRUCTURE |
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A small, viscid, glandular body of rostellar origin that becomes connected with a pollinium caudicle, either directly or through an intervening stipe, by which the pollinium attaches to a pollinating insect; in Orchidaceae. |
epiphytic |
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habit |
plant |
Physically supported in its entirety by another plant through all or the major part of its life. |
naked 2 |
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architecture |
bud |
Lacking enclosing protective scales, the outermost embryonic components exposed and not differing significantly from those within. See also perulate. |
rhipidium pl. rhipidia |
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nominative |
inflorescence |
A cyme with the branches alternate and disposed in two opposite ranks along the main axis, the whole fan-like. |
synstemonous |
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architecture |
flower, androecium |
Having two or more stamens, some or all of them connate. |
placenta pl. placentae, placentas |
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STRUCTURE |
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An ovule-bearing zone of the tissue surface bordering an ovary locule; of merely topographic, not histological, significance; may be a part of the ovary wall proper or an extension from it, or a part of the central axis of the ovary or an extension from it. |
wiry |
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architecture |
axis |
Relatively very narrow and elongate, tough, and resiliently flexible. |
explosive |
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dehiscence |
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Opening abruptly with almost instantaneous aperture formation and release of accumulated structural tensions, the contents thus forcibly expelled. |
arillate |
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architecture |
seed |
Having an aril. |
non-septate |
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architecture |
trichome |
Lacking transverse inter- or intracellular septa or partitions. |
cuspidate |
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apex |
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Tapering gradually to a rigid tip composed of both vascular and laminar tissues. |
channel |
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FEATURE |
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A longitudinal, transversely rounded depression; esp. along the adaxial surface of a petiole or petiolule. |
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. |
polyadal |
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arrangement |
pollen |
Shed in groups of more than four, each group comprising grains from two or more original tetrads, the latter intact or not. |
sap |
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SUBSTANCE |
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Generally, the fluid content of a plant body; more precisely, the sugary fluid transported by the phloem. |
deliquescent 2 |
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texture |
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Delicately fleshy and liquifying at maturity or with pressure; e.g., petals of Tradescantia (Commelinaceae). |
prolate |
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plane shape |
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Symmetrically elongate parallel to the developmental or polar axis. |
fixed |
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fixation |
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Attached to the bearing structure in a manner allowing no significant rotation or declination in relation to it. |
bark |
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STRUCTURE |
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The outermost portion of any shoot or root axis having secondary growth, consisting of all those tissues outside the vascular cambium; sometimes exhibiting zonation into inner, living bark and outer, dead bark; usually described only as to external appearance. |
opaque |
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coloration |
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Not transmitting light. |
scarious |
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texture |
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Very thin, dry, and not green. |
abortive |
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maturation |
spore, pollen, seed |
Never attaining functional maturity due to defective or arrested development. |
flagellum pl. flagella |
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STRUCTURE |
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A very slender whip-like structure that extends from the main body of an antherozoid and, by active undulation, propels the cell through a liquid medium. |
prop root |
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STRUCTURE |
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A relatively stout adventitious root arising from the lower portion of a main stem and extending outward and downward toward the substrate, within which it ultimately becomes anchored, thus buttressing the aboveground portion of the plant. |
hyponastic |
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development |
laminar structure |
Having the abaxial surface differentiating and growing faster than the adaxial surface, thus, until maturity, development of the former more advanced than the latter at any given time and the structure as a whole involute or incurved. |