GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS 



Acute . — Sharp-pointed . 



Akene. — A dry fruit. 



Alternate. — Not opposite, arranged singly at different heights 

 on the stem. 



Annual. — Of one year's duration. Winter Annual, a plant 

 from autumn-sown seed which blooms and fruits the follow- 

 ing spring. 



Anther. — That part of the stamen which contains the pollen. 



Apetalous. — Without petals. 



Apex. — The outer tip of a leaf or petal. 



Axil. — The point on a stem directly above the base of a leaf. 



Axis. — The central line of any organ. 



Basal. — Leaves near the ground; at the base. 



Bearded. — Bearing tufts of hairs. 



Berry. — A fruit in which the whole pericarp is fleshy or pulpy. 



Biennial. — Of two years' duration, usually flowering and fruit" 

 ing the second year only, and then perishing. 



Blade. — The expanded portion of the leaf. 



Bract. — A small modified leaf at the base of or upon the flower- 

 stem. 



Bractlet. — A secondary small bract. 



Bulb. — A bud with fleshy scales, usually underground. 



Bulbous. — Having the character of a bulb. 



Calyx. — The outer and lower set of leaves at the base of the 

 flower, usually green, but sometimes highly colored. 



Carpel. — A single pistil, or one member of a compound pistil. 



Cleistogamous. — Small, inconspicuous flowers which never open 

 but fertilize themselves in the bud and usually grow near 

 the ground. 



Composite. — A floral head, composed of few or many florets 

 gathered in a head, such as daisy or dandelion. 



Compound. — Composed of two or more similar parts united into 

 a whole ; e. g., a compound leaf is one divided into separate 

 leaflets. 



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