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Botanical terms and other technical stuff
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Accessory Fruit ~ a fleshy fruit formed from a single flower, but developing from another part of the flower, not the ovary. They have a thin outer skin and central chambers containing several seeds. Also called a Pome. See Fruits
Achene ~ a single-seeded dry indehiscent fruit in which the seedcoat is not part of the fruit coat. See Fruits
Acid, Acidic ~ (soil type) - a soil with a pH level of less than 7. See Soil
Adventitious Roots ~ short, fibrous roots for collecting water and food. See Monocots and Dicots
African Violet Family ~ Gesneriaceae
Aggregation of Drupes ~ a fleshy fruit formed from a single flower, formed of many small drupes, each containing one seed. See Fruits
Alkaline ~ (soil type) - a soil with a pH level of more than 7. See Soil
Alternate ~ arising on one side of the stem then on the other (leaf). See the photos of Leaf Shapes and Arrangements
Androecium ~ the male reproductive parts of a flower: the stamens, which carry the pollen, and the filament, the stalk which connects the anther to the base of the flower. See the Diagram of Parts of a Flower.
Angiospermae ~ (Angiosperms) - plants which produce flowers. See Classification of Plants.
Annual ~ A plant that completes its life cycle (growing from seed, flowering, producing seed, and dying) in a single year. See also Annual or Perennial?
Anther ~ the male part of the flower which holds the pollen. See the Diagram of Parts of a Flower.
Aphids ~ soft-bodied insects that damage plant tissue, e.g. Blackfly, Greenfly. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Apiaceae ~ Celery or Carrot Family (formerly Umbelliferae)
Apocynaceae ~ Periwinkle Family
Asteraceae ~ Daisy Family (formerly Compositae)
Asteridae ~ One of the Superorders in plant classification. See Classification of Flowering Plant Families
Axil ~ the junction of a leaf with the stem.
Axillary ~ in the junction of a leaf with the stem.
B
Banana Family ~ Musaceae
Bean Family ~ Caesalpinaceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Papilionaceae (formerly Leguminosae)
Bedstraw ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Bedstraw Family ~ Rubiaceae
Bellflower Family ~ Campanulaceae
Berry ~ a fleshy fruit formed from a single flower, usually containing a number of seeds. See Fruits
Biennial ~ a plant that completes its life cycle in two years (growing from seed in its first year, flowering, producing seed and dying in its second year).
Bignonia Family ~ Bignoniaceae
Bignoniaceae ~ Bignonia Family
Bindweed ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Bindweed Family ~ Convolvulaceae
Bindweed, Field ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Binomial ~ system, the two-part method for naming plants, using the Genus and the species.
Bipinnate ~ with each leaflet of a pinnate leaf also pinnate. See the photos of Leaf Shapes and Arrangements
Blackberry ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Blackfly ~ a black soft-bodied insect that damages plant tissue. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Boraginaceae ~ Forget-me-Not Family
Botrytis ~ also known as Grey Mould. A fungal disease that affects plants. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Bowl-shaped ~ (flower shape) - a flower with a deep dish shape, roughly hemispherical, with straight sides or with a very slight flare at the tips. See diagrams and photos of Flower Shapes.
Brassicaceae ~ Cabbage Family (formerly Cruciferae)
Bulb ~ an underground storage organ. More details and photos.
Bush Vetch ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Buttercup Family ~ Ranunculaceae
C
Cabbage Family ~ Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae)
Caesalpiniaceae ~ Bean Family (formerly Leguminosae)
Calyx ~ the ring of small leaves surrounding the petals, forming part of the flower. See the Diagram of Parts of a Flower.
Campanulaceae ~ Bellflower Family
Campanulate ~ (bell-shaped) - a flower with a wide tube and flared lobes (petal tips), typical of the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). See diagrams and photos of Flower Shapes.
Capitulum ~ type of inflorescence. See How flowers are arranged.
Capsule ~ a dry fruit which splits open to release the seeds. See Fruits
Carrot Family ~ Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
Caryophyllaceae ~ Pink Family
Caryophyllidae ~ One of the Superorders in plant classification. See Classification of Flowering Plant Families
Caryopsis ~ a simple dry indehiscent fruit, like an achene, but with the seedcoat fused with the fruit coat. Found in members of the Grass Family (Poaceae). See Fruits
Caterpillar ~ the larvae of butterflies and moths that eat plant tissue. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Cat's-ear ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Celery Family ~ Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
Centipede ~ a small brown animal that can damage plant tissue. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Chalk ~ a soft porous limestone rock. See Soil
Chickweed ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Circumscissile Capsule ~ a dry dehiscent fruit which splits through the centre of the fruit. See Fruits
Class ~ the main division in the classification of flowering plants. See Classification of Plants.
Classification of Plants ~ the heirarchy of plant classification.
Clay ~ very small particles of rock, forming part of soil. See Soil
Cleistogamous ~ seeds - seeds formed by self-pollination of an unopened flower, commonly found in some types of Viola or Hibiscus.
Clusiaceae ~ (formerly Guttiferae) St. John's Wort Family
Coenocarpium ~ a fleshy fruit formed from several flowers. See Fruits
Common Names ~ and botanical names.
Common Rush ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Compositae ~ Daisy Family (now Asteraceae)
Compost ~ decomposed vegetable matter used to improve the soil; a potting medium. Formulae for John Innes Compost.
Compound Umbel ~ type of inflorescence. See How flowers are arranged.
Convolvulaceae ~ Bindweed Family
Cordate ~ heart-shaped (leaf). See the photos of Leaf Shapes and Arrangements
Corm ~ an underground storage organ. More details and photos.
Corolla ~ the ring of petals forming the flower. See the Diagram of Parts of a Flower.
Corymb ~ type of inflorescence. See How flowers are arranged.
Cotyledon ~ seed leaf - the first leaf or leaves forming the seed and containing the food supply for the new seedling. See the Diagram of a Seed.
Couch Grass ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Cranefly ~ a flying insect whose larvae can damage underground plant tissue. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Cranesbill ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Creeping Buttercup ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Creeping Cinquefoil ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Creeping Thistle ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Cross-pollination ~ pollination by the pollen of another flower. See Pollination and Fertilisation
Crucifer ~ a member of the Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae), formerly called Cruciferae.
Cruciferae ~ Cabbage Family (now Brassicaceae)
Cruciform ~ (cross-shaped) - a flower with four petals at right angles to one another. Typical of members of the Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae). See diagrams and photos of Flower Shapes.
Cuckoo-spit ~ the white frothy mass in which the larvae of the Froghopper live. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Cultivar ~ 'Cultivated Variety' - a division in the classification of flowering plants. See Classification of Plants.
Cyme ~ type of inflorescence. See How flowers are arranged.
Cypsela ~ a single-seeded dry indehiscent fruit that develops from a one part inferior ovary (on the stalk side of the flower). See Fruits
D
Daisy ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Daisy Family ~ Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
Damping Off ~ a fungal disease, mainly of young seedlings, causing them to fall over and die suddenly. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Dandelion ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Deciduous ~ a plant that loses its leaves in winter.
Dehiscent Fruits ~ seed containers which open to release the seeds. See Fruits
Deno, Norman ~ author of Seed Germination Theory and Practice
Development ~ of seeds and seedpods.
Dicot, Dicotyledon ~ a plant with two seed leaves. Opposite of monocot. See Monocots and Dicots
Digitate ~ with five divisions like a hand (leaf). See the photos of Leaf Shapes and Arrangements
Dilleniidae ~ One of the Superorders in plant classification. See Classification of Flowering Plant Families
Dioecious ~ (plant) - a plant with both male and female parts in its flowers. See Pollination and Fertilisation
Diploid ~ an organism which has two complete sets of chromosomes. See Hybrids.
Dispersal ~ Seed - the way seeds are dispersed from the parent plant. See Seed Dispersal
Distribution ~ Seed - the distribution of seeds sent in by members of a gardening society to other members. See Making the Most of Seed Distributions
Dock ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Dormancy ~ (1) of seeds, a period after ripening before they are ready to germinate. Persuading them that the conditions are right for germination is called 'breaking dormancy'. (2) of plants, a period of inactivity, for example, the dying down of bulbs after flowering until the next period of growth, or shedding of leaves of deciduous trees during winter in cold climates.
Drupe ~ a fleshy fruit formed from a single flower, containing a hard stone with one seed. See Fruits
Dry Fruits ~ seed containers which dry out when the seeds are ripe. See Fruits
Dutch Clover ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Dwarf Thistle ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
E
Earwig ~ a small brown animal that can damage plant tissue, especially the buds of multi-petalled flowers. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Elliptic ~ oval, with a short point (leaf). See the photos of Leaf Shapes and Arrangements
Endosperm ~ the food contained inside the seedcoat, to feed the embryo when it first germinates. See Monocots and Dicots
Ensiform ~ sword-shaped (leaf). See the photos of Leaf Shapes and Arrangements
Epigeal ~ germination, where the seed leaves emerge from the ground. Opposite of hypogeal. See photographs.
Ericaceae ~ Heath Family
Evergreen ~ a plant that keeps its leaves throughout the year.
Exchange ~ Seed - the distribution of seeds sent in by members of a gardening society to other members. See Making the Most of Seed Distributions
F
F1 ~ F1 Hybrid. The first generation resulting from the crossing of genetically different parent plants. See Hybrids.
F2 ~ F2 Hybrid. The second generation resulting from the crossing of genetically different plants, i.e. the result of crossing plants of the F1 generation. See Hybrids.
Fabaceae ~ Bean Family (formerly Leguminosae)
Family ~ a division in the classification of flowering plants. This is the highest classification normally used by gardeners, and groups together plants which have significant botanical similarities. See An Introduction to Plant Families, Classification of Plants, and Classification of Flowering Plant Families.
Fat Hen ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Fern ~ a primitive plant that does not produce seed, but reproduces by means of spores. See Ferns from 'Seed'.
Fertilisation ~ the fusing of the pollen from the male parent plant with the ovules of the female parent plant. See Pollination and Fertilisation
Feverfew ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Field Mouse Ear ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Figwort Family ~ Scrophulariaceae
Filament ~ the filament is part of the male reproductive structure of a flower. It is the stalk of the stamens. See the Diagram of Parts of a Flower.
Fleshy Fruits ~ seed containers in which the seed is enclosed in a soft pulp. See Fruits
Flower Parts ~ a Diagram of Parts of a Flower
Flower Shapes ~ diagrams and photographs of the main types of Flower Shapes.
Follicle ~ a dry dehiscent fruit which splits on one side only. It may contain one or many seeds. See Fruits
Forget-me-not ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Forget-me-Not Family ~ Boraginaceae
Form ~ a minor division in the classification of flowering plants. See Classification of Plants.
Froghopper ~ a small animal whose larvae can damage plant tissue. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Frond ~ the 'leaf' of a fern.
Frost Hardy ~ (plant) a plant that can withstand a winter temperature of at least -5oC (23oF). See the entry on Plant Hardiness
Fruit ~ the part of the plant in which the seeds are contained. See Fruits
Fungus Gnat ~ also known as Sciarid Fly. A small flying insect often found around indoor or greenhouse plants, whose larvae may damage underground plant tissue. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Funnelform ~ (funnel-shaped) - a flower that widens gradually from the base, ending in an open or flared shape. See diagrams and photos of Flower Shapes.
G
Genotype ~ the genetical makeup of an individual. See Hybrids.
Genus ~ (pl. genera) a division in the classification of flowering plants. The first name in the binomial system, e.g. Papaver, Campanula, etc. See Classification of Plants.
Geraniaceae ~ Geranium Family
Geranium Family ~ Geraniaceae
Germander Speedwell ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Germination ~ Germination of a Seed.
Gesneriaceae ~ African Violet Family
Goose Grass ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Great Plantain ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Greenfly ~ a green soft-bodied insect that damages plant tissue. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Grey Mould ~ also known as Botrytis. A fungal disease that affects plants. See the Plant Pests Identification Chart
Groundsel ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Ground Thistle ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Gymnospermae ~ (Gymnosperms) - plants which don't produce flowers. See Classification of Plants.
Gynoecium ~ the gynoecium is the female reproductive structure of a flower. It comprises the stigma, the style and the ovary. See the Diagram of Parts of a Flower.
H
Hairy Bitter Cress ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Half Hardy ~ (plant) a plant that can withstand a winter temperature of at least -0oC (32oF). See the entry on Plant Hardiness
Hamamelidae ~ One of the Superorders in plant classification. See Classification of Flowering Plant Families
Hardiness ~ generally understood to be the degree of winter coldness a plant can survive. See the entry on Plant Hardiness
Hardiness Zone ~ an area in which a plant can be expected to survive throughout the winter. See the entry on Plant Hardiness
Hardy ~ (plant) a plant that can withstand a winter temperature of at least -15oC (5oF). See the entry on Plant Hardiness
Hastate ~ spear-shaped (leaf). See the photos of Leaf Shapes and Arrangements
Hawkbit ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Hawk's Beard ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Heath Family ~ Ericaceae
Heat Zones ~ areas which have temperatures over 85oF for similar periods in the summer. See the entry on Plant Hardiness
Heavy soil ~ a soil with a large component of clay in its makeup. See Soil
Henbit ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Hep, Hip ~ a fleshy fruit formed from a single flower, containing Achenes. See Fruits
Herb ~ a plant grown mainly for its medicinal or culinary properties, or for its aromatic foliage. Botanically, a plant with non-woody stems, i.e. a herbaceous plant.
Herb Robert ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Herbaceous ~ a perennial plant that loses all its above-ground growth during the winter.
Herbarium ~ a collection of pressed plant specimens used for identification, usually kept in a botanic garden.
Hesperidium ~ a fleshy fruit formed from a single flower, with a tough, aromatic rind, containing several seeds. All fruits of this type are Citrus fruits. See Fruits
Hilum ~ the scar on a seed where it was attached to the seed pod.
Hybrid ~ the offspring resulting from the crossing of plants with different genetical makeup. See Hybrids.
Hydrophyllaceae ~ Waterleaf Family
Hypogeal ~ germination, where the seed leaf or leaves remain underground after germination. Opposite of epigeal. See photographs.
I
Indehiscent Fruits ~ seed heads in which the seeds are not enclosed in a pod. See Fruits
Inferior Ovary ~ an ovary outside the flower, on the stalk side. See Pollination and Fertilisation
Inflorescence ~ a stem with several flowers. See How flowers are arranged.
Internodal ~ between nodes (joints) - as in internodal cuttings, cuttings made between, not at, the leaf joints.
Internode ~ distance between nodes.
Iridaceae ~ Iris Family
Iris Family ~ Iridaceae
Ivy ~ a climbing plant that can be a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
Ivy-leaved Toadflax ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
J
John Innes ~ composts, made to particular formulae developed at the John Innes Horticultural Institute in Norwich, England
K
Kenilworth Ivy ~ a weed (or wildflower or herb). For a description and photo of the seedling, see the Weed Identification Chart
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