Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
317 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Acaulescent
|
stemless
|
|
Alternate
|
a leaf arrangement along the axis in which the leaves are not opposite to each other or whorled
|
|
Anandrous
|
without stamens
|
|
Androgynous
|
having staminate and pistillate flowers in the same inflorescence
|
|
Anemophilous
|
wind-pollinated
|
|
Annual
|
a plant that completes its life cycle from the it’s germination as a seed to the production of new seeds in a single year and then dies
|
|
Anterior
|
on the front side away from the axis
|
|
Anther
|
the pollen-bearing portion of a stamen
|
|
Anthesis
|
time during which the flower is open
|
|
Apetalous
|
lacking petals
|
|
Apex
|
the tip of a plant part
|
|
Aphyllous
|
without leaves
|
|
Arborescent
|
approaching the size and habit of a tree
|
|
Asperous
|
rough to the touch
|
|
Asteraceae
|
sunflower family
|
|
Asymmetrical
|
not divided into like and/or equal parts
|
|
Attenuate
|
gradually narrowing to a tip or base
|
|
Auricle
|
a small earlike lobe or appendage
|
|
Auriculate
|
having earlike appendages
|
|
Autophilous
|
self-pollinated
|
|
Axil
|
the upper angle formed between two structures or organs such as a leaf and the stem from which it grows
|
|
Axillary
|
borne or carried in the axil
|
|
Axis
|
the main stem
|
|
Banner
|
the upper petal of a pea flower
|
|
Barbed
|
with a backward-facing tip
|
|
Basal
|
at or near the base; often describing leaves and where they attach
|
|
Berry
|
a fleshy indehiscent fruit in which the seeds are not encased in a stone and are typically more than one
|
|
Biennial
|
a plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle - usually growing vegetation in the first year and producing flowers and seeds in the second then dying
|
|
Biflorous
|
flowering in the spring and again in the autumn
|
|
Bifurcate
|
divided into two forks or branches
|
|
Bipinnate
|
twice pinnately compound
|
|
Bisexual
|
having both stamens and pistils
|
|
Blade
|
the expanded terminal portion of a leaf petal or other structure; i.e. that portion of the leaf that does not include the stalk
|
|
Bloom
|
a white powder-like coating sometimes found on a leaf or stem surface
|
|
Bract
|
a modified leaf which may be reduced in size or different in other characteristics from the foliage leaves and which usually subtends a flower or an inflorescence
|
|
Brassicaceae
|
mustard family
|
|
Bud
|
a developing leaf stem or flower
|
|
Bulb
|
an underground plant part derived from a shoot that is enclosed in numerous overlapping thickened leafy scales whose purpose is to store food; if cut in half there are many layers (compare corm)
|
|
Bulblet
|
a small bulb produced at the base of a bulb
|
|
Caducous
|
falling off very early as compared to similar structures in other plants
|
|
Calyx
|
the outer whorl of the perianth; composed of the sepals; usually but not always green; which enclose other flower parts in bud
|
|
Campanulate
|
bell-shaped
|
|
Capsule
|
a dry generally many-seeded fruit divided into two or more seed compartments that dehisces or splits open longitudinally with the line of dehiscence either through the locule (loculicidal) or through the septa (septicidal); or less commonly through pores (poricidal) or around the circumference (circumscissile)
|
|
Carpel
|
a simple pistil or a single unit of a compound pistil - the ovule-bearing portion of a flower
|
|
Catkin
|
a spike like often pendulous inflorescence of petal less unisexual flowers either staminate or pistillate
|
|
Caudex
|
the persistent often woody base of an otherwise annual herbaceous stem
|
|
Cauline
|
attached to or referring to the stem as opposed to 'basal' ; often used to describe leaf position
|
|
Chlorophyllous
|
of or containing chlorophyll
|
|
Clasping
|
having the lower edges of a leaf blade partly surrounding the stem
|
|
Cleft
|
deeply cut ; usually more than one-half the distance from the margin to the midrib or base
|
|
Complete
|
describing flowers that contain petals sepals pistils and stamens
|
|
Composite
|
a member of the Asteraceae or sunflower family previously called the Compositae
|
|
Compound
|
made up of two or more similar parts as in a leaf which has leaflets
|
|
Cordate
|
heart-shaped
|
|
Corm
|
an enlarged underground structure that consists of stem tissue and thin scales; if cut in half there are no layers (compare bulb)
|
|
Corolla
|
the inner whorl of the perianth between the calyx and the stamens a collective term for the petals of a flower
|
|
Corymb
|
a broad flat-topped inflorescence in which the flower stalks arise from different points on the main stem and the marginal flowers are the first to open (compare cyme)
|
|
Crenate
|
with shallow roundish or bluntish teeth on the margin; scalloped
|
|
Crenulate
|
similar to crenate; but with smaller rounded teeth
|
|
Crisped
|
curled on the margin like a strip of bacon
|
|
Cruciform
|
cross-shaped
|
|
Cultivar
|
a form of a plant derived from cultivation
|
|
Cyme
|
a broad flat-topped inflorescence in which the central flower is the first to open (compare corymb)
|
|
Deca-
|
a prefix meaning ten
|
|
Decumbent
|
prostrate at the base but ascending at the end
|
|
Dentate
|
with sharp outward-pointing teeth on the margin
|
|
Determinate
|
describes an inflorescence in which the terminal flower blooms first; thereby halting further elongation of the flowering stem (compare indeterminate)
|
|
Diandrous
|
having two stamens
|
|
Dichotomous
|
branching regularly and repeatedly in pairs
|
|
Dicotyledon
|
a plant having two seed leaves; one of the two major divisions of flowering plants (compare monocotyledon)
|
|
Didymous
|
twinned; being in pairs
|
|
Dioecious
|
having staminate and pistillate flowers on separate plants (compare monoecious)
|
|
Disk
|
the central portion of composite flowers; made up of a cluster of disk flowers
|
|
Dissected
|
finely cut or divided into many narrow segments
|
|
Distal
|
the end opposite the point of attachment away from the axis (compare proximal)
|
|
Distinct
|
having separate like parts those not at all joined to each other; often describing the petals on a flower (compare united)
|
|
Disturbed
|
referring to habitats that have been impacted by the actions of people
|
|
Diurnal
|
growing in the daytime
|
|
Divided
|
cut deeply; nearly or completely to the midrib
|
|
Drupe
|
a fleshy indehiscent fruit enclosing a nut or hard stone containing generally a single seed such as a peach or cherry
|
|
E-
|
prefix usually meaning without
|
|
Ecotype
|
those individuals adapted to a specific environment or set of conditions
|
|
Elliptic
|
broadest near the middle and tapering gradually to both ends
|
|
Elongate
|
stretched out; many times longer than broad
|
|
Endemic
|
confined to a limited geographic area
|
|
Entire
|
describing a leaf that has a continuous unbroken margin with no teeth or lobes
|
|
Ephemeral
|
describes a plant or flower that lasts for only a short time or blooms only occasionally when conditions are right
|
|
Epigynous
|
inferior ovary with stamens pistils and sepals attached to the top of the ovary (compare hypogynous)
|
|
Exotic
|
not native; introduced from another area
|
|
Exudate
|
a substance exuded or secreted from a plant
|
|
Fabaceae
|
pea family
|
|
Fagaceae
|
oak family
|
|
Fertile
|
having the capacity to produce fruit; having a pistil
|
|
Filament
|
the stalk of the anther
|
|
Floret
|
a small individual flower in a flower head
|
|
Foliolate
|
having leaflets
|
|
Frond
|
a fern leaf
|
|
Glabrate
|
becoming glabrous in age
|
|
Glabrous
|
smooth; without hairs
|
|
Gland
|
a depression or protuberance that exists for the purpose of secreting
|
|
Glandular
|
producing tiny globules of sticky or oily substance
|
|
Glaucescent
|
slightly glaucous
|
|
Glaucous
|
covered with a thin light-colored waxy or powdery bloom
|
|
Glomerate
|
crowded congested or compactly clustered
|
|
Glutinous
|
having a sticky surface
|
|
Habit
|
the overall appearance of a plant
|
|
Hastate
|
spear- or arrowhead-shaped with the basal lobes facing outward
|
|
Herbaceous
|
fleshy-stemmed; not woody
|
|
Hexa-
|
a prefix meaning six
|
|
Hibernal
|
flowering or appearing in the winter
|
|
Hip
|
a fleshy berry-like fruit as in some members of the Rosaceae
|
|
Hirsute
|
pubescent with stiff coarse hairs
|
|
Hispid
|
rough-haired
|
|
Hoary
|
covered with white or gray short fine hairs
|
|
Host
|
a plant providing nourishment to a parasite
|
|
Hypanthium
|
a cup-shaped enlargement of the receptacle; creation by the fusion of sepals petals and stamens
|
|
Hypogynous
|
superior ovary with stamens petals and sepals attached below the ovary (compare epigynous)
|
|
Imbricate
|
overlapping like shingles on a roof
|
|
Imperfect
|
describes a flower that has stamens or pistils but not both
|
|
Implicate
|
twisted together; intertwined
|
|
Incised
|
cut; often deeply usually irregularly but seldom as much as one-half the distance to the midrib or base
|
|
Included
|
not exerted or protruding beyond the surrounding organ
|
|
Incomplete
|
missing a whorl
|
|
Incumbent
|
a term referring to seeds in which the embryonic root is wrapped around and lies adjacent to the back of one of the two cotyledons (compare accumbent)
|
|
Indeterminate
|
describes an inflorescence in which the outer or lower flowers bloom first allowing an indefinite elongation of the flowering stem (compare determinate)
|
|
Indigenous
|
native to an area
|
|
Inferior ovary
|
one that is situated below the point of attachment of the sepals and petals and possibly below the point of attachment of all other flower parts and embedded in the floral stem
|
|
Inflorescence
|
the flowering portion of a plant
|
|
Infra-
|
a prefix meaning below or beneath
|
|
Innate
|
borne at the apex
|
|
Inter-
|
a prefix meaning between or among
|
|
Interrupted
|
not continuous; with gaps
|
|
Introrse
|
turned or opening inward toward the axis as an anther toward the center of a flower (compare extrorse)
|
|
Involucre
|
a set of bracts subtending a flower or an inflorescence
|
|
Irregular
|
describes a flower that is not radially symmetric; the similar parts of which are unequal in size or form
|
|
Joint
|
the point on a plant stem from which a leaf or leaf-bud grows; more commonly termed a node
|
|
Keel
|
the two lower petals of most pea flowers united or partially joined to form a structure similar to the keel of a boat
|
|
Labiate
|
lipped
|
|
Lacerate
|
irregularly cut or cleft
|
|
Laciniate
|
cut into slender lobes
|
|
Lacunate
|
pitted
|
|
Laevigate
|
lustrous; shining
|
|
Lanceolate
|
Significantly longer than wide and widest below the middle; gradually tapering toward the apex
|
|
Lateral
|
borne at or on the side of
|
|
Leaflet
|
one segment of a compound leaf
|
|
Legume
|
a dry dehiscent fruit derived from a single carpel and usually opening along two lines of dehiscence like a pea pod
|
|
Limb
|
the upper expanded portion of a corolla which has fused petals
|
|
Linear
|
long and narrow with sides that are parallel or nearly so
|
|
Lineate
|
marked with parallel lines
|
|
Lobe
|
usually a rounded segment of an organ
|
|
Lobed
|
more or less deeply cut but not as far as the midrib
|
|
Lunate
|
crescent-shaped
|
|
Macro-
|
prefix meaning large or long
|
|
Macrophyllous
|
having large leaves
|
|
Maculate
|
spotted or blotched
|
|
Many
|
same as numerous; often used to describe the number of stamens on a flower and specifically meaning eleven or more
|
|
Margin
|
the edge; as of a leaf blade
|
|
Mega-
|
prefix meaning large
|
|
Membranous
|
thin flexible and more or less translucent like a membrane
|
|
-merous
|
a suffix utilized to indicate the number of parts or divisions in a particular structure or organ as in 4-merous or 4-parted
|
|
Mesic
|
describes a habitat that is generally moist throughout the growing season (compare xeric)
|
|
Meso-
|
prefix meaning middle
|
|
Mesocarp
|
the middle layer of the pericarp of a fruit (compare endocarp exocarp)
|
|
Mesophytic
|
adapted to growing under medium or average conditions especially relating to water supply
|
|
Micro-
|
prefix meaning small
|
|
Microphyllous
|
bearing small leaves
|
|
Midrib
|
the main or central rib or vein of a leaf
|
|
Mono-
|
prefix meaning one
|
|
Monocotyledon
|
a plant having only one seed-leaf (compare dicotyledon)
|
|
Monoecious
|
having both male and female flowers on the same plant (compare dioecious)
|
|
Monotypic
|
describing a genus that contains only a single species
|
|
Mucilaginous
|
slimy and moist
|
|
Multi-
|
prefix meaning many
|
|
Mycorrhizal
|
having a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the root of a plant
|
|
Netted
|
same as reticulated in the form or pattern of a network
|
|
Nodding
|
hanging down
|
|
Node
|
a point on a stem where leaves or branches originate
|
|
Numerous
|
eleven or more same as 'many'
|
|
Nut
|
a dry usually one-seeded indehiscent fruit with a hard-walled exterior
|
|
Ob-
|
prefix signifying inversion or reversal of normal direction
|
|
Oblanceolate
|
inversely lanceolate
|
|
Oblique
|
with sides unequal; usually describing the base of a leaf
|
|
Obovate
|
inversely ovate
|
|
Obtuse
|
blunt or rounded at the apex
|
|
Obverse
|
describing a leaf that is narrower at the base than at the apex
|
|
Obvolute
|
a vernation in which two leaves are overlapping in the bud in such a manner that one-half of each is external and the other half is internal; i.e. each leaf both overlaps the next and is in turn overlapped by the one before
|
|
Octo-
|
prefix meaning eight
|
|
Odd-pinnate
|
describing a pinnately-compound leaf with a single terminal leaflet (compare even-pinnate)
|
|
Open
|
uncongested; usually describing the organization of flowers in an inflorescence (compare dense)
|
|
Opposite
|
describing leaves that are situated in pairs at each node along an axis
|
|
Oval
|
broadly elliptic; the width over half the length
|
|
Ovary
|
the basal portion of a pistil where female germ cells develop into seeds after germination
|
|
Ovate
|
egg-shaped; wider below the middle
|
|
Ovoid
|
an egg-shaped solid
|
|
Ovule
|
the structure that develops into the seed inside the ovary
|
|
Pallid
|
pale
|
|
Palmate
|
radiating from a single point like the spreading fingers of an outstretched hand
|
|
Panicle
|
a compound inflorescence in which the branches are racemose and the flowers are pedicelled on the branches
|
|
Parasite
|
a plant which derives most or all of its food from another organism to which it attaches itself
|
|
Parted
|
lobed or cut in over half-way and often very close to the base or midrib
|
|
Pectinate
|
describing a pinnatifid leaf whose segments are narrow and arranged like the teeth of a comb
|
|
Pedicel
|
the stalk of a single flower that is part of an inflorescence
|
|
Peduncle
|
the stalk of a flower cluster or of a solitary flower not associated with others in an inflorescence
|
|
Peltate
|
a type of leaf having its petiole attached to the center of the lower surface of the blade
|
|
Penta-
|
prefix meaning five
|
|
Perennial
|
a plant living for more than two years
|
|
Perfect
|
containing both stamens and pistils; bisexual
|
|
Perfoliate
|
the stem apparently piercing the leaf or surrounded by basally joined opposite leaves
|
|
Perianth
|
a collective term for the calyx and corolla
|
|
Pericarp
|
the outer wall of mature fruit
|
|
Perigynous
|
situated around but not attached to the ovary directly; describing a flower whose stamens and petals are joined to the calyx tube and the ovary is superior
|
|
Persistent
|
remaining attached after the usual time of falling
|
|
Petal
|
a single segment of a divided corolla
|
|
Petaloid
|
having the appearance of a petal
|
|
Petiole
|
the stalk of a leaf
|
|
Phytolaccaceae
|
pokeweed family
|
|
Pinnate
|
with separate segments which are arranged feather-like on either side of a common axis
|
|
Pistil
|
the central reproductive organ of a flower; consisting of ovary style and stigma
|
|
Pistillate
|
a female flower that has two or more pistils but no functional stamens
|
|
Poly-
|
prefix meaning many
|
|
Polyandrous
|
with many stamens
|
|
Polyanthous
|
with many flowers
|
|
Polygamous
|
having both unisexual and bisexual flowers on the same plant
|
|
Posterior
|
on the side next to the axis (compare anterior)
|
|
Procumbent
|
lying flat or trailing but not rooting at the nodes
|
|
Prostrate
|
lying flat
|
|
Protandrous
|
describing a plant in which the release of pollen precedes and does not overlap the period of stigma receptivity (compare protogynous)
|
|
Protogynous
|
describing a plant in which stigma receptivity precedes and does not overlap the period of pollen release (compare protandrous)
|
|
Proximal
|
nearest the axis or base (compare distal)
|
|
Ptero-
|
prefix meaning winged
|
|
Quadrate
|
square
|
|
Quadri-
|
prefix meaning four
|
|
Quinque-
|
prefix meaning five
|
|
Raceme
|
an elongate unbranched inflorescence with pedicelled flowers on the main stem
|
|
Racemose
|
raceme-like or bearing racemes
|
|
Rachis
|
the main stalk of a flower cluster or of a compound leaf; also that part of a fern frond stem that bears the leaflets
|
|
Radical
|
belonging to or proceeding from the root
|
|
Radiate
|
describing a flower head in the Asteraceae that contains both ray and disk flowers
|
|
Radicant
|
rooting from the stem
|
|
Recumbent
|
leaning or reposing upon the ground
|
|
Recurved
|
curved backwards or outwards
|
|
Reflexed
|
abruptly bent or curved downward
|
|
Regular
|
describes a flower with petals or sepals all of equal size and shape; i.e. radially symmetrical or capable of being divided into mirror images on either side of any plane that passes through the center
|
|
Reniform
|
kidney-shaped or rounded with a notch at the base
|
|
Reticulate
|
having a netted pattern
|
|
Rhizome
|
an underground stem capable of producing new stems or plants at its nodes
|
|
Rosette
|
a cluster of leaves in a circular arrangement at the base of a plant; often called the basal rosette
|
|
Rotundifolius
|
with round leaves
|
|
Saprophytic
|
Deriving food from dead or decaying organic material in the soil and usually lacking in chlorophyll
|
|
Scabrous
|
rough to the touch
|
|
Scale
|
a greatly reduced leaf or other outgrowth on a plant surface
|
|
Scape
|
a leafless flowering stem arising directly from the ground
|
|
Scorpioid
|
describing a coiled inflorescence
|
|
Semi-
|
prefix meaning half
|
|
Sepal
|
modified leaves that are on the outside of the flower when in bud
|
|
Serrate
|
having sharp forward-pointing teeth on the margin
|
|
Serrulate
|
serrate with very small teeth
|
|
Sessile
|
attached directly and without a petiole pedicel or other type of stalk; said of either leaves or flowers
|
|
Shrub
|
a small woody plant with several stems
|
|
Simple
|
a leaf that has one part; not subdivided into leaflets
|
|
Sinuate
|
strongly or deeply wavy; usually referring to a leaf margin
|
|
Sinus
|
the space or division usually on a leaf between two lobes or teeth
|
|
Sp
|
abbreviation for 'species'; also used when genus is know but species is not
|
|
Spadix
|
a floral spike or head in which the flowers are borne on a fleshy axis
|
|
Spathe
|
a large bract or pair of bracts subtending and usually partially enclosing an inflorescence
|
|
Spike
|
an elongated unbranched inflorescence with sessile or nearly-sessile flowers
|
|
Spp
|
abbreviation for the plural of 'species'
|
|
Spur
|
a hollow extension of a petal or sepal such as characterizes the larkspurs and which often produces nectar
|
|
Ssp
|
abbreviation for 'subspecies'
|
|
Stamen
|
the male or pollen-bearing organ of a flower composed of filament and anthers
|
|
Staminate
|
describing a male flower that contains one or more stamens but no functional pistils
|
|
Stem
|
the main upward-growing axis of a plant which bears the leaves and flowers
|
|
Stigma
|
the terminal portion of a pistil which receives the pollen
|
|
Stipe
|
that portion of a fern frond below the rachis i.e. below where the leaflets are attached
|
|
Stipule
|
an appendage at the base of a petiole usually in pairs
|
|
Stolon
|
an elongated horizontal shoot above or below the ground - rooting at the nodes or apex
|
|
Style
|
the narrowed portion of a pistil between and connecting the ovary and the stigma
|
|
Sub-
|
prefix meaning under slightly somewhat or almost
|
|
Subspecies
|
a group of plants within a species that has consistent repeating genetic and structural distinctions
|
|
Summer annual
|
plant with seeds germinating in spring or early summer and completing flowering and fruiting in late summer or early fall (compare winter annual)
|
|
Superior ovary
|
ovary with perianth inserted below it; see also hypogynous and perigynous
|
|
Syn-
|
prefix meaning united
|
|
Taproot
|
the primary root continuing the axis of the plant downward often quite deeply into the ground
|
|
Tendril
|
a slender portion of a leaf or stem; modified for twining
|
|
Tepals
|
term used to describe flowers of the Liliaceae family when the sepals and petals are indistinguishable
|
|
Terminal
|
at the end of the branch or stem
|
|
Toothed
|
having small lobes or points along the margin (as on a leaf)
|
|
Tri-
|
prefix meaning three
|
|
Trifoliate
|
having three leaves
|
|
Trifoliolate
|
having three leaflets
|
|
Tripinnate
|
thrice divided
|
|
Tube
|
the lower or narrower portion of a corolla or calyx
|
|
Tuber
|
a short thickened underground stem which bears numerous buds
|
|
Umbel
|
an inflorescence in which the flower stalks arise from a common point (in a compound umbel this branching is repeated)
|
|
Umbellet
|
a secondary umbel in a compound umbel
|
|
Umbellulate
|
in the form of or having the appearance of an umbel
|
|
Umbraculate
|
umbrella-shaped
|
|
Undulate
|
wavy
|
|
Uni-
|
prefix meaning one
|
|
Unisexual
|
bearing either stamens or pistils but not both
|
|
United
|
describes petals that are fused together
|
|
Variegated
|
having a variety of colors
|
|
Vascular
|
containing both xylem the principal water and mineral-conducting tissue and phloem food conducting tissue
|
|
Vein
|
the vascular portion of a leaf
|
|
Venation
|
the arrangement of veins in a leaf
|
|
Versicolor
|
having various colors
|
|
Viscid
|
sticky or greasy
|
|
Vitreous
|
transparent
|
|
Wanting
|
absent lacking nonexistent
|
|
Weed
|
traditionally used to describe a plant that grows where it is not wanted; now known to be
|
|
Whorl
|
a circle of three or more structures radiating outward from the same node
|
|
Wing
|
a thin paperlike flat margin bordering or extending from a seed capsule stem or flower
|
|
Winter annual
|
plant with seeds germinating in late summer or fall and completing flowering and fruiting in spring or summer (compare summer annual)
|
|
X
|
a symbol which when placed before a specific epithet indicates a hybrid of two species
|
|
Xero-
|
prefix meaning dry
|
|
Xerophytic
|
adapted to dry or arid conditions; places where fresh water is scarce or where water absorption is difficult due to an excess of dissolved salts
|
|
Zygomorphic
|
with inequality in the size or form of similar parts; specifically bilaterally symmetric and capable of being bisected into equal mirror-image halves along one plane only
|