252 



Glossary 



Oval. Broadly elliptical. 



Ovary. The portion of the pistil which contains the ovules. See page 

 258. 



Ovate. Egg-shaped, with the broad end downward. See page 256. 



Ovule. An undeveloped seed. The body which upon fertilization 

 develops into a seed. 



Palmate. Applied to a leaf that is lobed or divided like the fingers of 

 the hand. See page 255. 



Panicle. A loose compound flower-cluster with the lower branches 

 longer and blooming first. 



Papilionaceous. Butterfly-like; referring to the irregular corolla of the 

 Fabaceae. Ex. Corolla of the sweet pea or common bean. 



Parasite. A plant growing on and getting its nourishment from an- 

 other plant. Ex. Mistletoe. 



Pedicel. The stem of a single flower or of a single flower of a flower 

 cluster. 



Peduncle. The main flower stalk supporting either a flower cluster 



or a solitary flower. 

 Pendulous. More or less hanging. 



Perianth. The calyx and corolla of a flower considered as a whole. 

 Used where the calyx and corolla are colored alike or very similar. 

 Ex. Lily. 



Persistent. Leaves which remain on the branches the first year or a 

 calyx which remains on or under the fruit as in the hawthorn or 

 persimmon. 



Perennial. Living year after year. 



Petal. One of the separate parts of the corolla, commonly white or 

 colored. 



Petiole. The stalk by which the blade of a leaf is attached to the 

 stem. 



Pinnae. The primary divisions of a twice pinnately compound leaf. 

 Pinnate. A leaf which bears the leaflets on both sides of a common 



petiole. Used with compound leaves. See page 255. 

 Pistil. The female organ of a flower consisting of a stigma, style and 



ovary. The seed-bearing organ of the flower. See page 258. 

 Pistillate flower. One with pistils but without stamens. 

 Pod. The popular name for a dry, dehiscent fruit which splits along 



two sides. Applied to any dry, dehiscent fruit, especially a 



legume. 



Pollen. The yellowish dust contained in the anther. 

 Pubescent. Covered with short, soft hairs. 



