A GUIDE AND KEY TO AQUATIC PLANTS 5 



bears at tlie base two chaff-like empty bracts called the glumes, and 

 each floret consists of two scales called the lemma and the palea with 

 essential parts inclosed. In the sedges all of the scales or bracts are 

 similar and are not designated by different terms. Important in 

 identifying the sedges is the nature of the fruit or achene. The size, 

 shape, presence or absence of a tubercle at the apex, the texture of the 

 surface, and the nature of the perianth-bristles are used. Typical 

 achenes are shown in the diagrams. 



GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS 



Achene. — A small, dry, hard, indehiscent fruit. 



Acuminate. — Tapering at the end (fig. 3). 



Acute. — Terminating with a sharp point (fig. 4). 



Adnate. — United with or adhering to. 



Alternate. — Usually pertains to leaves. Not opposite each other but borne 



singly at different levels on the stem (fig. 5) . 

 Annual. — A plant of only one year's duration. 

 Anther. — The pollen-bearing portion of a stamen (fig. 6) . 



^Anther 



Figure 3. 



Figure 4. 



Figure 5. 



Figure 6. 



Aristate. — Be">nng an awn or bristle at the tip (fig. 7). 

 Attenuate. — Slenderly tapering; long drawn-out (fig. 8). 

 Awn. — A bnstle-like appendage (fig. 7) . 

 Axil. — The angle formed by a leaf with the stem (ag. 9). 

 Axillary. — Borne in the axils of the leaves. 

 Biconvex. — Lenticular (fig. 10). 



—Awn 



Figure 7. 



Figure 8. 



Figure 9. 



Figure 10. 



