GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS 



(Some of these are taken from Recreations in Botany) 



Achene or akene. — A small, dry, indehiscent, i-seeded fruit. 

 Anther. — That part of the stamen which contains the pollen, usually con- 

 sisting of 2 cells which, when the pollen is ripe, open by a slit. 

 Axil. — The upper angle at the junction of stem and branch. 



Bloom. — A soft, whitish, powdery appearance on fruit, leaves, etc. 

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



Calyx.— 'The outer flower-leaves, usually green. 



Capsule. — The dry, dehiscent fruit of a compound pistil, as in poppy. 



Chaff. — Bracts or scales which become dry and thin. Used especially of 

 a scale accompanying the small flowers of the composite family. 



Claw, — The long, narrow base of a petal, as in pinks. 



Cleistogamous. — Closed fertilization. Applied to inconspicuous blossoms 

 which are self-fertilized before the bud opens, as in stemless vio- 

 lets. Such plants bear other more showy blossoms, which are often 

 fruitful. 



Corolla. — The flower-leaves standing next within and above the calyx. 



Corymb. — A cluster of flowers, flat or convex at top, blossoming first at the 

 circumference, last at the centre. 



Crenate. — With roundish teeth. 



Cyaie. — A cluster of flowers, flat or convex at top, the central ones blos- 

 soming first; those around the margin last. 



Cymose. — With the general inflorescence of the cyme. 



Z>f/«>«H/. —Splitting open of capsules into regular valves, for the dis- 

 charge of seeds. Dehiscent fruits contain more than one seed. 



Bisk or disc. — The central part of composites, as distinguished from ray- 

 flowers. 



Drupe. — A stone-fruit, as the cherry and plum. 



