Dictionary

Word	Meaning
Brochidodromous	Secondary veins do not terminate at the leaf margin but are joined in a series of prominent upward arches or marginal loops on each side of the primary vein.
Bulb	An underground food storage organ enclosed in membraneous to fleshy overlapping leaves that arise from a short stem.
Bullate	Where the surface of the leaf is raised in blister shapes between the veins.
Buttress	The term refers to above-ground extensions of lateral surface roots that stabilize the tree and form part of the trunk. Buttress roots are large above-ground portions of a root that gives support to the tree trunk.
Buttressed	The term refers to above-ground extensions of lateral surface roots that stabilize the tree and form part of the trunk. Buttress roots are large above-ground portions of a root that gives support to the tree trunk.
Caducous	Falling off easily and early, or before the normal time.
Callose	Tissue that is hardened, thickened and callous.
Calyptra	A cap- or lid-type structure that covers a part of the plant, such as flowers or fruits.
Calyptrate	Like a cap.
Calyx	Collective term for the outermost whorl of flower parts, comprising the leaf-like sepals, or calyx lobes, which protect the flower in bud. In plants with inferior ovaries, the calyx may persist to the fruiting stage and be seen as circular 'crown of leaflets' or leaflet scars on a fleshy fruit. The calyx is different in appearance to the corolla.
Cambium	A layer of growing, cell-producing tissue that lies between xylem and phloem.
Campanulate	Bell-shaped, with a similar tube length and width, and flaring outward at the end.
Camptodromous	The secondary veins curve toward the margins, in some cases becoming nearly parallel with them, and not reconnecting with other veins to form loops.
Canopy	Usually referring to the upper layer of foliage of a tree. Also referred to as the crown.
Capitate	Head-like.
Capitula	A dense cluster of sessile or sub-sessile flowers or florets. A flower head in the daisy family Asteraceae is an example of a capitulum.
capitulum	A compact, flattened and expanded inflorescence, consisting of closely packed sessile flowers or florets. This type of flower is characteristic of the Asteraceae family.
Capitulum	A dense cluster of sessile or sub-sessile flowers or florets. A flower head in the daisy family Asteraceae is an example of a capitulum.
Capsule	A dehiscent, dry fruit that divides into two or more valves, or lobes. Capsules typically split from apex to base, into separate valves, or segments, to release seeds. Some do not split open, such as a Baobab fruit.
Carotene	A red-yellow-orange pigment within the chloroplasts, involved in the primary light absorption.
Carpel	A carpel is one section of the ovary, and is the basic unit of the female sexual organ. Carpels are either joined or separate. A separate carpel, when developed into a fruit, is called a mericarp. Each pod (or legume), or each valve of a capsule, originates from a carpel.
Caruncle	a small, often fleshy outgrowth on the outer part of the integument of the seed near where it attaches to the placenta. Found in seeds dispersed by animals.
Catkin	An elongated and hanging spike or cluster of flowers, which are usually unisexual, sessile or sub-sessile, and without petals. Catkins typically fall as a unit once fruiting is complete. Also called an ament.
Caudate	Ending abruptly in a long tail-like tip. Caudate is an exaggerated form of acuminate.
Caudex	In succulents, the thickened and enlarged root-to-stem continuation.
Cell	The smallest living unit from which plants are constructed. There are different types of cells that each deliver specific functions.
Chartaceous	Thin, like paper, and stiff.
Chlorophyll	The green pigment in plant cells that enables photosynthesis.
Chloroplast	A small body within a plant cell that contains the green pigment chlorophyll. Starch is formed in these cells by photosynthesis.
Chromosome	A thread-like structure in a cell nucleus that bears genetic information.