GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS 



Acuminate. — Tapering to a sharp point. 



Akene.— A dry, one-seeded fruit, with the wall of the seed-vessel 



fitting tight around the seed. 

 Alternate. — Not opposite each other. 

 Annual. — Of only one year's duration. Winter annual is a 



plant from autumn-sown seed which blooms the following 



spring, and then dies. 

 Anther.— The part of the stamen that bears pollen. 

 Apetalous. — Having no petals. 

 Awn. — A bristle-shaped appendage. 

 Axil. — The angle formed by a leaf with the stem. 

 Axillary. — Situated in an axil. 

 Biennial. — Of two years' duration. 

 Blade. — ^The expanded portion of the leaf, the stem part is the 



petiole. 

 Bract. — A small, modified leaf. 

 Calyx. — The outer leaves of a flower, usually green. 

 Capitate. — Shaped like a head. 

 Capsule. — A dry fruit which opens to allow the seeds to come 



out. 

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

 Ciliate. — Marginally fringed with hairs. 

 Cleistogamous. — Fertilized in the bud, without the opening of 



the flower. 

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



one whole. 

 Compound Leaf. — One divided into separate leaflets. 

 Cordate. — Heart-shaped with point upward. 

 Corolla. — The second whorl of floral organs. 

 Corymb. — A flat- topped, open flower cluster. 

 Corymbose.— Corymb-like. 

 Crenate. — With rounded teeth. 



Crucifer. — Name given to the flowers of the Mustard Family. 

 Dentate. — With teeth directed outward. 

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