EXPLANATION OF THE TERMS USED 7 



Palmately veined. Where the chief veins of the leaf are palmately arranged. 

 (Fig. 38 G.) 



Panicle. A branched raceme, i.e. a raceme in which the common stalk sends off 

 lateral branches, which may themselves branch. The largest branches are 

 usually at the base, giving the panicle a roughly pyramidal shape. (Fig. 69.) 

 A flattened panicle becomes a corymb (see footnote on page 4). A group of 

 flowers may take the form of a panicle without being a branched raceme, e.g. in 

 the Privet. The term panicle, therefore, can be taken to mean any loose and 

 open group of flowers, which has a roughly pyramidal outline, and this is the 

 sense in which it has been used in this book. 



Peltate. Attached to the stalk by the centre or one face, and not by the end, as in 

 the leaf of a nasturtium. (Figs. 31 b and 44 h.) 



Perianth (P). The outermost floral parts, or floral envelope, i.e. the calyx and 

 corolla, especially when there is no clear distinction between the two, or when 

 one or the other is absent. (Figs. 113 D and 127 a-d.) Denoted in the floral 

 formulae by the letter P. 



Persistent. Remaining attached, not falling oflF. 



Pinnate, Arranged like the divisions of a feather or herring-bone, i.e. arising from 

 opposite sides of a common axis. Used of compound leaves with pinnate 

 leaflets. If the leaflets of a pinnate leaf are themselves simple, the leaf is said to 

 be simply pinnate. (Figs. 7-17.) If, however, they are divided into secondary 

 pinnate leaflets, the leaf is 2-pinnate. (Fig. 18 f.) If these secondary' leaflets 

 are again divided, the leaf is i^-pinnate. 



PiNNATELY LOBED. Where the midribs of the lobes are pinnately arranged. 

 (Figs. 32-36.) 



PiNNATELY VEINED. Where the chief side veins arise at intervals from opposite 

 sides of the midrib. (Fig. 58 D.) 



Pistil (G). The organs in the centre of the flower, from which the seed and fruit 

 directly develop, i.e. the carpel, or carpels taken together, the female organs. 

 The pistil includes the ovary, style, and stigma, but not the stamens, (Fig. 82 c.) 

 Denoted in the floral formulae by the letter G (from the Greek word gynoecium, 

 female part). 



Pollen. The yellow dust-like grains that are produced by the stamens (male 

 organs), and fertilize the ovule. They are usually conveyed to the pistil by 

 wind or insects. 



Prostrate. Lying on or near the ground. 



Raceme. A group of flowers on a common axis, each flower being stalked and 

 generally in the axil of a bract. The oldest (fully open) flowers wall be found 

 near the bottom of the axis, and the youngest (unopened buds) at the top. It 

 follows that the common stalk of a raceme can be clearly traced through the 

 group as a more or less straight line from base to apex. (Fig. 90 f.) See also 

 Panicle. 



Radial. Spreading outwards on all sides at approximately the same level like the 

 spokes of a wheel. 



Receptacle. The swollen head of the flower-stalk, on which the floral organs, or 

 in the case of a capitulum the flowers, are inserted. In the rose, plum, and 

 cherry family the receptacle is converted into a cup enclosing the pistil, while 

 the sepals, petals, and stamens grow from the rim. 



Recurved. Curved downwards or backwards. Also reflexed. 



Round. Shaped like a ball or a circle. 



