GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS 



ACHENE. A dry one-seeded indehiscent fruit with the pericarp fitting close. 



ly around the seed. 



ACUMINATE. Gradually tapering to the apex. 

 ACUTE. Sharp pointed. 



ADNATE. An organ adhering to a contiguous differing one. 

 ADVENTIVE. Not indigenous, but apparently becoming naturalized. 

 ALTERNATE. Applied to that form of leaf arrangement in which only one 



leaf occurs at a node. 

 AMENT. A spike of imperfect flowers subtended by scarious bracts, as in 



willows. Used interchangeably with catkin. 

 ANTHER. The part of the stamen which contains the pollen. 

 APETALOUS. Without a corolla. 

 APPRESSED. Lying close and flat against. 

 ARBORESCENT.- Tree-like in size and habit of growth. 

 ARIL. A fleshy organ growing at the point of attachment of a seed to the 



pericarp. 



ASCENDING. Growing obliquely upward, or upcurved. 

 AWL-SHAPED. Narrow upward from the base to a slender or rigid point. 

 AWN. A slender bristle-like organ. 



AXIL. The point on the stem immediately above the base of the leaf. 

 Axis. The central line of any organ or support of a group of organs j a 



stem. 



AXILLARY. Borne at, or pertaining to, an axil. 

 BACCATE. Berry-like; pulpy. 

 BEAKED. Ending in a prolonged tip. 

 BERRY. A fruit whose pericarp is wholly pulpy. 

 BIENNIAL. Of two years' duration. 

 BIPINNATE. Twice pinnate. 

 BLADE. The flat expanded part of a leaf. 



BRACT. A leaf, usually small, subtending a flower or flower-cluster. 

 BRACTEATE, Having bracts, 



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