Definitions

Alternate: Only one leaf at a time on a stem opposite or nearly opposite sides of the stem from the next leaf.

Anther: The part of the stamen (male part of the flower) that bears pollen.

Axil: Point of angle where the stem and leaf or leaf stem meet.

Basal: Found at the base.

Bract: A small or modified leaf, often resembling a petal, usually located below the flower.

Capsules: A dry fruit that is composed of more than one seed cavity.

Catkin: A tight spike of a petalless flower.

Caylx: Outermost part of the flower, usually green.

Clasping: Surrounding the stem.

Clawed: Many of the Crowfoot family have a slender, stalk-like portion at the base of the petals and sepals.

Cleft: Split or cut into.

Cluster: A tight bunch or group.

Corm: Vertical, thickened, underground stem.

Compound: Leaves with a single stalk and a number of leaflets.

Dentate: Sharp teeth facing outward on the edges of a leaf.

Disc: Central array of flowers in a composite.

Filament: The stalk part of the stamen (male part of the flower) that supports the anther. The anther and filament together form the stamen.

Floret: A tiny flower, usually part of a bigger, dense cluster, can be used to describe the flower of a grass.

Linear: Line shaped, long and narrow.

Node: A joint where a leaf or branch is attached.

Opposite: Leaves in pairs, opposite each other on the stem.

Ovary: The lower swollen part of the reproductive system that contains the seeds.

Palmate: A leaf divided into lobes that resemble the fingers spreding from the palm of a hand.

Pedicel:  The stalk of a single flower within a flower cluster.

Perennial: Living for more than two years, flowering each year usually after the first.

Petiole: The stalk of the leaf.

Pistil: Female part including ovary, style and stigma.

Pinnate: Leaves arranged like the pinnae of a feather, leaflets in pairs on opposite sides of a midrib.

Pinnatifid: Being divided in a pinnate manner.

Ray: The flat outer flowers of a composite or aster flower head like petals of a daisy.

Rhizome: An underground stem or root stock that is curved upward at the end.

Rosette: A crowded cluster of leaves that seem to arise from one point.

Scale: A thin, dry, translucent, not green body or structure.

Sepals: One of the outer groups of flower parts that is most often green.

Sessile: Without a stalk or a stem.

Spike: A flower cluster along the stem.

Spur: An extension of the lip or third petal of a flower found most often in orchids.

Stamen: The male part of the flower containing a filament and an anther that bears pollen.

Styles: A part of the reproductive portion of the plant, tubular in shape.

Symbiotic: A close association between two or more different organisms of different species that may benefit each member.

Taproot: Anchors a plant in unstable soil. A long, thick root growing in dry or rocky areas reaching deep for nutrients and water.

Terminal: At the end.

Tuber: Solid, thick underground stem having buds.

Tuberoids: A thickened fleshy root much like as tuber.

Tufted: Clumped or clustered, having a bunch arising from the same point.

Umbrel: A description of a flower cluster, more or less flat topped, where the stalks arise from a common point, resembling the ribs of an umbrella.

Whorl: An arrangement of leaves, flowers etc., in a circle around the stem.