Glossary

Question 1

Achene

Answer 1

Small, dry, single-seeded, indehiscent fruit e.g. that of butter cup (see illustration)

Question 2

Actinomorphic

Answer 2

Flowers that are radially symmetrical (syn ‘Regular’)

Question 3

Acuminate

Answer 3

Gradually tapering to a point. See diagram of cordate leaf.

Question 4

Alternate (of leaves)

Answer 4

Individual leaves are neither opposite or whirled on stem.

Question 5

Annual

Answer 5

A plant that completes its life cycle from germination to seed in a single season.

Question 6

Anther

Answer 6

The pollen-containing part of the stamen, situated at the tip of the filament.

Question 7

Apocarpous

Answer 7

A plant with individual carpels that are separate and not fused to form a single ovary.

Question 8

Apomictic

Answer 8

Producing viable seed without fertilisation; in effect, cloning by seed.

Question 9

Apressed

Answer 9

Pressed close to another organ but not fused to it, e.g. hairs on a stem.

Question 10

Archaeophyte

Answer 10

Although not thought to be native, a plant long established in the British Isles and certainly present before 1600 (cf. ‘Introduced’).

Question 11

Aristate

Answer 11

With an awn or stiff bristle.

Question 12

Ascending

Answer 12

Sloping or curving upwards at an oblique angle.

Question 13

Auricle

Answer 13

Small, ear-like projections at the base of a leaf, especially in grasses (see illustration).

Question 14

Awn

Answer 14

Bristle-like projection from the tip or back of a lemma or glume in grasses (see illustration).

Question 15

Axillary

Answer 15

Arising in the axil of a leaf or bract.

Question 16

Base-rich

Answer 16

Soil or water rich in minerals such as calcium or magnesium that produces a non-acid neutral, or basic reaction (cf. ‘Fertile’).

Question 17

Berry

Answer 17

Fleshy fruit with usually several seeds, without a hard stony layer surrounding seeds, e.g. Tomato. (See illustration).

Question 18

Biennial

Answer 18

A plant that completes its life cycle in two growing seasons and does not flower in the first. E.g. Foxglove.

Question 19

Bifid

Answer 19

Deeply split into two.

Question 20

Bog

Answer 20

Vegetation that develops on wet acid peat (cf. Fen).

Question 21

Brackish

Answer 21

Refers to water or wet soils that are salty but less saline than sea water; especially marshes and dykes close to the sea.

Question 22

Bract

Answer 22

A modified leaf or scale, typically small, with a flower or flower cluster in its axil.

Question 23

Bracteole

Answer 23

Smaller bract that subtends flower or inflorescence, meaning it sits directly beneath or next to it.

Question 24

Bulb

Answer 24

Underground organ consisting of a short stem bearing a number of fleshy scale leaves, the whole enclosing next years flower bud e.g. an onion.

Question 25

Bulbil

Answer 25

A small bulb arising in the axil of a leaf or in an inflorescence.

Question 26

Calciole

Answer 26

A plant usually found on calcium-rich soils e.g. over chalk or limestone.

Question 27

Calcifuge

Answer 27

A plant usually found on calcium-poor acid soils e.g. heath and moorland.

Question 28

Calyx

Answer 28

The sepals of a flower. (See illustration).

Question 29

Capitulum

Answer 29

The head-like inflorescence of a member of the Asteraceae family. (see illustration).

Question 30

Capsule

Answer 30

A dry, dehiscent fruit consisting of more than one carpel. (See illustration).

Question 31

Carpel

Answer 31

A unit composed of the female part of the flower. (See p.48)

Question 32

Carr

Answer 32

Woodland or scrub that develops on permanently wet soils.

Question 33

Casual

Answer 33

An introduced plant that does not become established.

Question 34

Cladode

Answer 34

A green leaf-like lateral shoot.

Question 35

Compound (of a leaf)

Answer 35

Comprised of several distinct leaflets e.g. palmate, pinnate.

Question 36

Cone

Answer 36

The reproductive structure if a coniferous tree; also of horsetails and some club mosses (see pp. 13, 17, 43).

Question 37

Cordate

Answer 37

Refers to base of leaf blade. (See illustration).

Question 38

Corolla

Answer 38

The petals of a flower.

Question 39

Corymb

Answer 39

An inflorescence in which all the flowers are more or less at the same level but whose stalks arise from different points on the stem (adj. Corymbose) (see p.48).

Question 40

Crucifer

Answer 40

Name commonly given to members of the Brassicaceae (=Cruciferae).

Question 41

Cuneate

Answer 41

Refers to base of leaf blade. (See illustration.)

Question 43

Cuspidate (of a leaf)

Answer 43

Abruptly drawn out to a sharp narrow point.

Question 44

Deciduous

Answer 44

Refers to trees and shrubs that lose their leaves in the autumn.

Question 45

Decumbent

Answer 45

Refers to the stems that lie on the ground or are prostrate and tend to rise up at the tips (cf. 'Ascending').

Question 46

Decurrent (of leaves)

Answer 46

With the base prolonged down the petiole or stem as a wing. (See illustration.)

Question 47

Deflexed

Answer 47

Bent sharply downwards.

Question 48

Dioecious

Answer 48

Having male and female flowers on separate plants, e.g. Holly.

Question 49

Discoid (of a member of the Asteraceae)

Answer 49

Having flower heads that consist of tubular or disc florets only. (See illustration.)

Question 50

Dominant

Answer 50

The plant species that gives vegetation its characteristic appearance; the most abundant species.

Question 51

Drupe

Answer 51

A fleshy fruit with one or more seeds, each of which is surrounded by a stony layer, e.g. plum. (See illustration.)

Question 52

Elliptic

Answer 52

(See illustration.)

Question 53

Endemic

Answer 53

Native to one country or a small area. If used without qualification, then refers here to the British Isles.

Question 54

Entire (of a leaf)

Answer 54

Neither toothed or serrated.