Terminology Flashcards
abaxial
the side or surface of an organ that faces away from the axis.
accessory fruit
a fruit, or group of fruits, derived from one flower, in which the conspicuous, fleshy portion develops from the receptacle and is shed with the true fruit(s) attached.
achene
a dry, indehiscent fruit formed from a superior ovary of one carpel and containing one seed which is free from the pericarp.
actinomorphic
radially symmetrical.
acute
terminating in a sharp point of less than 90 degrees, but not protracted. Used for apices and bases.
adnate
fusion of unlike structures… e.g. petals fused to sepals.
aggregate fruit
a cluster of fruits formed from the free carpels of one flower.
androecium
the entire group of stamens of one flower.
annual
a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season. The seed germinates producing a seedling which grows into a mature plant, flowers, sets seed and dies before the season is over.
anther
a sac bearing microspores that become pollen.
berry
a fleshy or pulpy indehiscent fruit with the seed(s) embedded in the fleshy tissue of the pericarp.
biennial
a plant that completes its life cycle in two growing seasons. Vegetative growth takes place in the first year. In the second year, the plant grows to reproductive maturity, flowers, sets seed and dies.
bilabiate
two-lipped, usually referring to a corolla in which fusion of petals forms an upper and lower lip.
bipinnately compound (bipinnate)
referring to leaves which are twice pinnately divided.
bract
a leaf-like structure, different in form from the foliage leaves, usually found below the calyx or inflorescence, or in composites surrounding the head.
campanulate
bell-shaped.
capillary
very slender and hairlike.
capsule
a dry fruit formed from two or more united carpels and dehiscing at maturity to release the seeds.
carpel
the female flower organ at the center of a flower, having its margins fused together or fused with other carpels to enclose the ovules in an ovary. The style with its terminal stigma projects from the carpel or group of fused carpels.
caryopsis
a dry, indehiscent, one-seeded fruit in which the seed coat is closely fused to the fruit wall… e.g. grass grain.
catkin
a spike in which the flowers are unisexual and without conspicuous perianth.
cauline
attached to an aerial stem; usually refers to leaves but sometimes refers to flowers.
complete
all floral whorls (sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil) are present.
composite head
a dense cluster of sessile flowers, as in the Asteraceae.
connate
structures fused with themselves i.e. like structures… e.g. petals fused together.
cordate
heart-shaped, i.e. having lobes at the base with an indentation in between.
corymb
a raceme inflorescence in which the pedicels of the lower flowers are longer than those of the upper flowers resulting in all reaching the same level and producing a more or less flat-topped inflorescence.
crenate
scalloped; with small, rounded projections on the edge.
cyme
an inflorescence in which each flower is formed at the tip of a growing axis and further flowers are formed on branches arising below it.
cypsela
a dry, indehiscent, one-seeded fruit formed from an inferior ovary.
dehiscence
a splitting action which allows the escape of spores, pollen, or seeds.
dentate
toothed.
determinate
having a growth pattern in which a bud or flower terminates the growing tip, thus preventing it from elongating beyond that point. This term usually refers to inflorescences.
diadelphous
filaments in two groups.
distal
remote from the point of origin or attachment.
drupe
a succulent fruit formed from one carpel, having the seed(s) enclosed in an inner stony layer of the fruit wall.
elliptic
long oval in outline, widest near middle and tapering equally toward both ends.
entire
having a smooth margin, not dissected, toothed, or indented.
epigynous
having the floral parts (especially stamens), attached above the point of insertion of the ovary, and arising from tissue that is fused to the ovary wall.
filiform
thread-like.
filament
the stalk that supports the anther.
follicle
a dry, dehiscent fruit formed from one carpel and dehiscing along the line of fusion of its edges.
fruit
a ripened ovary or group of ovaries, together with any adjacent parts that may be fused with it at maturity.
glabrous
without hairs.
gynoecium
the entire set of carpels of a flower.
helicoid
referring to a cyme which branches repeatedly on the same side and thus forms a coil.