GLOSSARY 



Definition of Terms Used in This Handbook 



Achene. A small hard, dry, indehiscent fruit in which the cover- 

 ing is not tightly united to the seed, as in the buttercup. 



Acrid. Sharp, hot, or bitter to the taste. 



Acute. Pointed, applying to the apex of the leaf. 



Adherent. See adnate. 



Adnate. Growing together of different organs or parts of organs, 

 as the stamens to the corolla. 



Aerial rootlets. Small roots appearing on the stem above ground. 



Air bladders. Little sacs containing air, and serving to float the 

 plant in water. 



Alternate. Applied to leaves which are not opposite but are arranged 

 at different heights on the stem. 



Ament. A spike of small flowers which are imperfect and are 

 without a perianth; each flower is usually subtended by a bract. 



Ament-like. Similar to an ament. 



Annual. Applied to plants which live but one year or season. 



Annular. In the form of a ring. 



Annular disk. A swollen or enlarged ring in the flower inside the 

 petals. 



Anther. The upper enlarged part of the stamen which contains 

 the pollen. 



Apex. The top or tip of an organ. 



Apical. Referring to the top of the plant or organ. 



Appendage. A part added to another. 



Appressed. Lying close against another. 



Aquatic. Applied to plants living partly or wholly in water. 



Aril. An appendage on a seed, more usually at the place of attach- 

 ment of seed. 



Armed. Protected. 



Aromatic. Having an odor. 



Arrow-shaped. Somewhat triangular, usually with two basal lobes. 



Ascending. Growing somewhat obliquely or curving upward from 

 the base. 



Awl-shaped. Narrow and tapering from the base to a rigid tip. 



Aiun. A bristle-like or hair-like appendage, as seen in many grasses. 



Axil. A point on the stem just above where a leaf is attached. 



Axillary. Attached to the stem just above a leaf or branch. 



Axis. An organ around which other organs are attached. 



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