| Stylopodium |
A structure just above the ovary or ovaries, when multiple styles are present, consisting of the united and joined sections of the styles. |
| Subdioecious |
Where dioecious plants may also present male and female flowers on one tree, or bisexual flowers. |
| Subglobose |
Not quite globe-shaped. |
| Subligneous |
Partially or somewhat woody. |
| Sub-opposite |
Substantially opposite, but not precisely so. |
| Suborbicular |
Nearly orbicular, being flat and almost circular in outline. |
| Subspecies |
A subspecies is a taxonomic rank below species, reflecting minor genetic variations in morphology, often caused by diverse geographical or ecological distributions. The abbreviation for subspecies is subsp. |
| Subterminal |
Just below the apex. |
| Subterminal branching |
Branches grow out from just below the apex of the parent branch. |
| Subulate |
Thin and tapering to a point, awl-shaped or needle-shaped. |
| Subvaginate |
Refer to vaginate. |
| Succulent |
A plant that accumulates and stores water in thick, fleshy tissue, typically leaves, stems and roots. Storage of water enables succulents to survive during extensive periods low rainfall. Succulents are common in many, but not all, rocky or arid landscapes. |
| Sucker |
A shoot arising from roots below ground and separate from the main stem. |
| Suffrutex |
A plant with a large, woody underground stem, that produces annual shoots above ground that bear leaves, flowers and fruits. |
| Suffrutices |
Referring to more than one plant with a large, woody underground stems, that produce annual shoots above ground that bear leaves, flowers and fruits. |
| Sulcate |
Furrowed or grooved. |
| Superior ovary |
The sepals, petals and stamens are inserted below the ovary. See inferior ovary and hypogynous. |
| Supra- |
Above |
| Supra-axillary |
Growing above an axil, not from the axil. |
| Suture |
The seam of union between contiguous valves or carpels of a fruit, along which dehiscent fruits split open to release seeds. |
| Syconium |
A fig is a syconium. Each fig is a receptacle that has enlarged into a sphere with a fleshy outer layer, and a hollow interior that contains numerous tiny flowers, or florets. |
| Symbiosis |
Dissimilar organisms living together for mutual advantage. |
| Sympodial |
Not having a main stem. |
| Syncarpous |
Having several carpels united together. See apocarpous. |
| Synflorescence |
A compound inflorescence. |
| Tannin |
A naturally occurring chemical derived from phenolic acids that is found in vascular plants. Tannins are deterrents to herbivores, and thus provide some protection for plants. Tannins have a bitter taste. |
| Tap root |
A root system with one prominent, central root and several or many side branching roots. |
| Taxon |
The Greek word for group. Life forms with common features are placed in groups or taxa. Refer to taxonomy. |
| Taxonomic |
Relating to taxonomy, which is the scientific discipline of classifying life. |
| Taxonomy |
The scientific discipline of classifying life. Refer to phylogeny. |
