-
Abies
true firs
-
abortive
failing to accomplish an intended result
-
acacia
any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia
-
acarine
mite or tick
-
acaulescent
(of plants) having no apparent stem above ground
-
Acer platanoides
a large Eurasian maple tree naturalized in North America; five-lobed leaves yellow in autumn; cultivated in many varieties
-
achimenes
any plant of the genus Achimenes having showy bell-shaped flowers that resemble gloxinias
-
aconite
any of various usually poisonous plants of the genus Aconitum having tuberous roots and palmately lobed leaves and blue or white flowers
-
Aconitum
genus of poisonous plants of temperate regions of northern hemisphere with a vaulted and enlarged petal
-
Acorus
sweet flags; sometimes placed in subfamily Acoraceae
-
acuminate
(of a leaf shape) narrowing to a slender point
-
acute
ending in a sharp point
-
Adenium
one species: succulent shrub or tree of tropical Africa and Arabia
-
Adenium obesum
South African shrub having a swollen succulent stem and bearing showy pink and white flowers after the leaves fall; popular as an ornamental in tropics
-
adhesion
the property of sticking together (as of glue and wood) or the joining of surfaces of different composition
-
adnate
of unlike parts or organs; growing closely attached
-
adventitious
associated by chance and not an integral part
-
adventitious root
root growing in an unusual location e.g. from a stem
-
Aesculus
deciduous trees or some shrubs of North America; southeastern Europe; eastern Asia
-
Agaricus
type genus of Agaricaceae; gill fungi having brown spores and including several edible species
-
agave
tropical American plants with basal rosettes of fibrous sword-shaped leaves and flowers in tall spikes; some cultivated for ornament or for fiber
-
Agave americana
widely cultivated American monocarpic plant with greenish-white flowers on a tall stalk; blooms only after ten to twenty years and then dies
-
agrimonia
a plant of the genus Agrimonia having spikelike clusters of small yellow flowers
-
Agrostemma
a caryophylloid dicot genus including corn cockles
-
Agrostis
annual or perennial grasses cosmopolitan in northern hemisphere: bent grass (so named from `bent' meaning an area of unfenced grassland)
-
Agrostis alba
slender European grass of shady places; grown also in northeastern America and temperate Asia
-
ailanthus
any of several deciduous Asian trees of the genus Ailanthus
-
Ajuga
bugle
-
Ajuga pyramidalis
European evergreen carpeting perennial
-
Ajuga reptans
low rhizomatous European carpeting plant having spikes of blue flowers; naturalized in parts of United States
-
albinism
the congenital absence of pigmentation in the eyes and skin and hair
-
Alcea
genus of erect herbs of the Middle East having showy flowers: hollyhocks; in some classification systems synonymous with genus Althaea
-
alder
north temperate shrubs or trees having toothed leaves and conelike fruit; bark is used in tanning and dyeing and the wood is rot-resistant
-
Aldrovanda
one species: waterwheel plant
-
Aldrovanda vesiculosa
floating aquatic carnivorous perennial of central and southern Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia having whorls of 6 to 9 leaves ending in hinged lobes for capturing e.g. water fleas
-
aliquot
signifying an exact divisor or factor of a quantity
-
Alisma
small genus of aquatic or semiaquatic plants
-
allamanda
a plant of the genus Allamanda having large showy funnel-shaped flowers in terminal cymes
-
Allamanda cathartica
vigorous evergreen climbing plant of South America having glossy leathery foliage and golden yellow flowers
-
Alliaria
a genus of herbs of the family Cruciferae; have broad leaves and white flowers and long siliques
-
Alliaria officinalis
European herb that smells like garlic
-
Allium
large genus of perennial and biennial pungent bulbous plants: garlic; leek; onion; chive; sometimes placed in family Alliaceae as the type genus
-
allotropism
the phenomenon of an element existing in two or more physical forms
-
Alnus
alders
-
Alnus incana
native to Europe but introduced in America
-
Alopecurus
annual or perennial grasses including decorative and meadow species as well as notorious agricultural weeds
-
Alopecurus pratensis
stout erect perennial grass of northern parts of Old World having silky flowering spikes; widely cultivated for pasture and hay; naturalized in North America
-
alternation of generations
the alternation of two or more different forms in the life cycle of a plant or animal
-
Alyssum
a genus of the family Cruciferae
-
amaryllis
bulbous plant having showy white to reddish flowers
-
amentaceous
(of plants) bearing or characterized by aments or catkins
-
amnio
(pregnancy) extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities
-
amorpha
any plant of the genus Amorpha having odd-pinnate leaves and purplish spicate flowers
-
Amorpha fruticosa
dense shrub of moist riverbanks and flood plains of the eastern United States having attractive fragrant foliage and dense racemes of dark purple flowers
-
Amygdalus
used in former classifications for peach and almond trees which are now included in genus Prunus
-
Amygdalus communis
small bushy deciduous tree native to Asia and North Africa having pretty pink blossoms and highly prized edible nuts enclosed in a hard green hull; cultivated in southern Australia and California
-
Anagallis
chiefly Old World herbs
-
Anagallis arvensis
herb with scarlet or white or purple blossoms that close at approach of rainy weather
-
Anagallis tenella
small creeping European herb having delicate pink flowers
-
anal
of or related to the anus
-
analogue
something having the property of being analogous to something else
-
anastomosis
a natural or surgical joining of parts or branches of tubular structures so as to make or become continuous
-
anatomical structure
a particular complex anatomical part of a living thing
-
anatropous
(of a plant ovule) completely inverted; turned back 180 degrees on its stalk
-
anatropous ovule
a completely inverted ovule turned back 180 degrees on its stalk
-
anchusa
any of various Old World herbs of the genus Anchusa having one-sided clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers
-
androgynous
having both male and female characteristics
-
anemone
marine polyps that resemble flowers but have oral rings of tentacles; differ from corals in forming no hard skeleton
-
anemone
marine polyps that resemble flowers but have oral rings of tentacles; differ from corals in forming no hard skeleton
-
Anemone nemorosa
European anemone with solitary white flowers common in deciduous woodlands
-
angelica
any of various tall and stout herbs of the genus Angelica having pinnately compound leaves and small white or greenish flowers in compound umbels
-
animal kingdom
taxonomic kingdom comprising all living or extinct animals
-
annular
shaped like a ring
-
Anomala
genus of beetles whose grubs feed mainly on roots of plants; includes several pests of cultivated grasses
-
anomaly
deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
-
anterior
of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
-
Anthemis
dog fennel
-
Anthemis arvensis
European white-flowered weed naturalized in North America
-
Anthemis nobilis
Eurasian plant with apple-scented foliage and white-rayed flowers and feathery leaves used medicinally; in some classification systems placed in genus Anthemis
-
anther
the part of the stamen that contains pollen; usually borne on a stalk
-
antheral
capable of fertilizing female organs
-
Anthriscus
chervil: of Europe, North Africa and Asia
-
anthurium
any of various tropical American plants cultivated for their showy foliage and flowers
-
Anthyllis
genus of Mediterranean herbs and shrubs
-
Antirrhinum
a genus of herbs of the family Scrophulariaceae with brightly colored irregular flowers
-
Antirrhinum majus
perennial native to the Mediterranean but widely cultivated for its purple or pink flowers
-
apetalous
(of flowers) having no petals
-
apetalous flower
flower having no petals
-
apex
the highest point (of something)
-
Apium
celery
-
Apium graveolens
herb of Europe and temperate Asia
-
apocarpous
(of ovaries of flowering plants) consisting of carpels that are free from one another as in buttercups or roses
-
appendage
a part that is joined to something larger
-
appendicular
relating to or consisting of an appendage or appendages; especially the limbs
-
aquilegia
a plant of the genus Aquilegia having irregular showy spurred flowers; north temperate regions especially mountains
-
Aquilegia canadensis
columbine of eastern North America having long-spurred red flowers
-
Aquilegia vulgaris
common European columbine having variously colored (white or blue to purple or red) short-spurred flowers; naturalized in United States
-
Arabis
annual to perennial woody herbs of temperate North America, Europe and Asia: rockcress
-
araucaria
any of several tall South American or Australian trees with large cones and edible seeds
-
arbutus
any of several evergreen shrubs of the genus Arbutus of temperate Europe and America
-
Ardisia
tropical evergreen subshrubs (some climbers) to trees of Asia and Australasia to Americas
-
Arenaria
turnstones
-
Arenaria serpyllifolia
Eurasian annual sprawling plant naturalized throughout North America
-
Aristolochia
birthworts; Dutchman's-pipe
-
Armeria
shrubby or herbaceous low-growing evergreen perennials
-
Armoracia
horseradish
-
Armoracia rusticana
coarse Eurasian plant cultivated for its thick white pungent root
-
Arnoseris
lamb succory
-
artemisia
any of various composite shrubs or herbs of the genus Artemisia having aromatic green or greyish foliage
-
articulated
consisting of segments held together by joints
-
Artocarpus
evergreen Asiatic trees now grown through the tropics: breadfruit; jackfruit
-
arum
any plant of the family Araceae; have small flowers massed on a spadix surrounded by a large spathe
-
Arum maculatum
common European arum with lanceolate spathe and short purple spadix; emerges in early spring; source of a starch called arum
-
Asa Gray
United States botanist who specialized in North American flora and who was an early supporter of Darwin's theories of evolution (1810-1888)
-
ASCII
(computer science) a code for information exchange between computers made by different companies; a string of 7 binary digits represents each character; used in most microcomputers
-
asparagus
plant whose succulent young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable
-
Asphodelus
small genus of tall striking annuals or perennials with grasslike foliage and flowers in dense racemes or panicles; Mediterranean to Himalayas; sometimes placed in family Asphodelaceae
-
Asplenium
in some classification systems placed in family Polypodiaceae
-
astrantia
any plant of the genus Astrantia
-
Astrantia major
European herb with aromatic roots and leaves in a basal tuft and showy compound umbels of white to rosy flowers
-
atlas
a collection of maps in book form
-
Atriplex
orach; saltbush
-
Atropa
belladonna
-
atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
-
Aucuba
hardy evergreen dioecious shrubs and small trees from Japan
-
auricula
a pouch projecting from the top front of each atrium of the heart
-
Avena
oats
-
awn
slender bristlelike appendage found on the bracts of grasses
-
axial
situated on or along or in the direction of an axis
-
axil
the upper angle between an axis and an offshoot such as a branch or leafstalk
-
axile
relating to or attached to the axis
-
axile placentation
ovules are borne at or around the center of a compound ovary on an axis formed from joined septa
-
axillary
of or relating to the axil
-
axis
a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
-
azalea
any of numerous ornamental shrubs grown for their showy flowers of various colors
-
azedarach
tree of northern India and China having purple blossoms and small inedible yellow fruits; naturalized in the southern United States as a shade tree
-
backup system
a computer system for making backups
-
balsam
any of various fragrant oleoresins used in medicines and perfumes
-
Bambusa
tall tender clumping bamboos
-
banksia
any shrub or tree of the genus Banksia having alternate leathery leaves apetalous yellow flowers often in showy heads and conelike fruit with winged seeds
-
Barbarea
biennial or perennial herbs of north temperate regions: winter cress
-
Barbarea vulgaris
noxious cress with yellow flowers; sometimes placed in genus Sisymbrium
-
basal
serving as or forming a base
-
basilar
of or relating to or located at the base
-
Bauhinia
mountain ebony, orchid tree
-
begonia
any of numerous plants of the genus Begonia grown for their attractive glossy asymmetrical leaves and colorful flowers in usually terminal cymes or racemes
-
belladonna
perennial Eurasian herb with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries; extensively grown in United States; roots and leaves yield atropine
-
Bellis
daisy
-
Bellis perennis
low-growing Eurasian plant with yellow central disc flowers and pinkish-white outer ray flowers
-
Berberis
large genus of shrubs of temperate zones of New and Old Worlds
-
Berberis vulgaris
upright deciduous European shrub widely naturalized in United States having clusters of juicy berries
-
Beta vulgaris
biennial Eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
-
Betula
a genus of trees of the family Betulaceae (such as birches)
-
Betula populifolia
medium-sized birch of eastern North America having white or pale grey bark and valueless wood; occurs often as a second-growth forest tree
-
bicolor
having two colors
-
Bidens
bur marigolds
-
bifid
divided into two lobes
-
bigarade
any of various common orange trees yielding sour or bitter fruit; used as grafting stock
-
Bignonia
one species: cross vine
-
Bignonia capreolata
woody flowering vine of southern United States; stems show a cross in transverse section
-
bilobed
having two lobes
-
binary
of or pertaining to a number system have 2 as its base
-
bipartite
involving two parts or elements
-
bladder
a distensible membranous sac (usually containing liquid or gas)
-
bocconia
herb of China and Japan widely cultivated for its plumelike panicles of creamy white flowers
-
borage
hairy blue-flowered European annual herb long used in herbal medicine and eaten raw as salad greens or cooked like spinach
-
bot
botfly larva; typically develops inside the body of a horse or sheep or human
-
botanical
of or relating to plants or botany
-
botany
the branch of biology that studies plants
-
bougainvillea
any of several South American ornamental woody vines of the genus Bougainvillea having brilliant red or purple flower bracts; widely grown in warm regions
-
Bowiea
small genus of tropical African perennial bulbous herbs with deciduous twining stems; sometimes placed in family Hyacinthaceae
-
Bowiea volubilis
much-branched leafless twining South African herb cultivated as an ornamental for its bright green stems growing from large aboveground bulbs
-
bract
a modified leaf or leaflike part just below and protecting an inflorescence
-
bracteate
having bracts
-
branchlet
a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
-
Brassica
mustards: cabbages; cauliflowers; turnips; etc.
-
Brassica napus
Eurasian plant cultivated for its seed and as a forage crop
-
Brassica oleracea
wild original of cultivated cabbages; common in western coastal Europe
-
broccoli
plant with dense clusters of tight green flower buds
-
Bromelia
the type genus of the family Bromeliaceae which includes tropical American plants with deeply cleft calyx
-
Bromus
a genus of grasses of the family Gramineae
-
Bryum
type genus of the Bryaceae: mosses distinguished by mostly erect and tufted gametophytes and symmetrical short-necked capsules
-
bulbil
small bulb or bulb-shaped growth arising from the leaf axil or in the place of flowers
-
bullate
of leaves; appearing puckered as if blistered
-
bundle
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
-
burr
seed vessel having hooks or prickles
-
bursa
a small fluid-filled sac located between movable parts of the body especially at joints
-
Cabomba
alternatively, a member of the family Nymphaeaceae; a small genus of American aquatic plants
-
Cakile
small genus of succulent annual herbs found on sandy shores of North America and Europe
-
Cakile maritima
salt-tolerant seashore annual grown for its fragrant rose or violet flowers and fleshy grey-green foliage
-
calanthe
any of various showy orchids of the genus Calanthe having white or yellow or rose-colored flowers and broad leaves folded lengthwise
-
calceolaria
any garden plant of the genus Calceolaria having flowers with large inflated slipper-shaped lower lip
-
calendula
any of numerous chiefly annual herbs of the genus Calendula widely cultivated for their yellow or orange flowers; often used for medicinal and culinary purposes
-
Calendula officinalis
the common European annual marigold
-
Calla
water arum
-
Calla palustris
plant of wetlands and bogs of temperate regions having small greenish flowers partly enclosed in a white spathe and red berries
-
Callitriche
water starworts
-
callosity
an area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot)
-
Calluna
one species
-
Calluna vulgaris
common Old World heath represented by many varieties; low evergreen grown widely in the northern hemisphere
-
Caltha
a genus of Caltha
-
Caltha palustris
swamp plant of Europe and North America having bright yellow flowers resembling buttercups
-
calycine
of or relating to or resembling a calyx
-
Calycophyllum
medium to large tropical American trees having shiny reddish-brown shredding bark
-
calyptra
the hood or cap covering the calyx of certain plants: e.g., the California poppy
-
Calystegia
climbing or scrambling herbs: bindweed
-
Calystegia sepium
common Eurasian and American wild climber with pink flowers; sometimes placed in genus Convolvulus
-
calyx
(botany) the whorl of sepals of a flower collectively forming the outer floral envelope or layer of the perianth enclosing and supporting the developing bud; usually green
-
calyx tube
the cuplike or ringlike or tubular structure of a flower which bears the sepals and stamens and calyx (as in Rosaceae)
-
camellia
any of several shrubs or small evergreen trees having solitary white or pink or reddish flowers
-
Camellia japonica
greenhouse shrub with glossy green leaves and showy fragrant rose-like flowers; cultivated in many varieties
-
campanula
any of various plants of the genus Campanula having blue or white bell-shaped flowers
-
Campanula medium
European biennial widely cultivated for its blue or violet or white flowers
-
Campanula persicifolia
perennial European bellflower with racemose white or blue flowers
-
Campanula pyramidalis
bellflower of southeastern Europe
-
Campanula rapunculoides
erect European herb with creeping rootstocks and nodding spikelike racemes of blue to violet flowers
-
Campanula rotundifolia
perennial of northern hemisphere with slender stems and bell-shaped blue flowers
-
candida
any of the yeastlike imperfect fungi of the genus Candida
-
canna
any plant of the genus Canna having large sheathing leaves and clusters of large showy flowers
-
cannabis
any plant of the genus Cannabis; a coarse bushy annual with palmate leaves and clusters of small green flowers; yields tough fibers and narcotic drugs
-
Cannabis sativa
a strong-smelling plant from whose dried leaves a number of euphoriant and hallucinogenic drugs are prepared
-
capitate
being abruptly enlarged and globose at the tip
-
capitulum
a dense cluster of flowers or foliage
-
Capsella
shepherd's purse
-
Capsella bursa-pastoris
white-flowered annual European herb bearing triangular notched pods; nearly cosmopolitan as an introduced weed
-
capsular
resembling a capsule
-
capsule
a small container
-
Cardamine
bittercress, bitter cress
-
Cardamine pratensis
a bitter cress of Europe and America
-
Carduus
genus of annual or perennial Old World prickly thistles
-
Carduus crispus
European biennial introduced in North America having flower heads in crowded clusters at ends of branches
-
Carex
large genus of plants found in damp woodlands and bogs and ditches or at water margins: sedges
-
Carica
type genus of the Caricaceae; tropical American trees: papayas
-
carina
any of various keel-shaped structures or ridges such as that on the breastbone of a bird or that formed by the fused petals of a pea blossom
-
Carlina
genus of Mediterranean thistles
-
Carlina vulgaris
Eurasian thistle growing in sand dunes and dry chalky soils
-
carnation
Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
-
carpel
a simple pistil or one element of a compound pistil
-
Carpinus
mostly deciduous monoecious trees or shrubs: hornbeams; sometimes placed in subfamily Carpinaceae
-
carpophore
a slender stalk that furnishes an axis for a carpel
-
Carthamus
safflower
-
Carum
caraway
-
Cassia
some genus Cassia species often classified as members of the genus Senna or genus Chamaecrista
-
Castanea
chestnuts; chinkapins
-
casuarina
any of various trees and shrubs of the genus Casuarina having jointed stems and whorls of scalelike leaves; some yield heavy hardwood
-
catalpa
tree of the genus Catalpa with large leaves and white flowers followed by long slender pods
-
Catasetum
genus of tropical American orchids having showy male and female flowers usually on separate inflorescences
-
catkin
a cylindrical spikelike inflorescence
-
cattleya
any orchid of the genus Cattleya characterized by a three-lobed lip enclosing the column; among the most popular and most extravagantly beautiful orchids known
-
cauliflower
a plant having a large edible head of crowded white flower buds
-
Caulophyllum
blue cohosh
-
Cedrus
true cedars
-
Celastrus
genus of woody vines and erect shrubs (type genus of the Celastraceae) that is native chiefly to Asia and Australia: includes bittersweet
-
celery
widely cultivated herb with aromatic leaf stalks that are eaten raw or cooked
-
cell
(biology) the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; they may exist as independent units of life (as in monads) or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals
-
cellular
relating to cells
-
Celosia
annual or perennial herbs or vines of tropical and subtropical America and Asia and Africa
-
Centaurea
knapweed; star thistle
-
Centaurea moschata
Asian plant widely grown for its sweetly fragrant pink flowers; sometimes placed in genus Centaurea
-
Centranthus
genus of southern European herbs and subshrubs
-
Centranthus ruber
European herb with small fragrant crimson or white spurred flowers
-
centrifugal
tending to move away from a center
-
centripetal
tending to move toward a center
-
Cephalotus
one species: Australian pitcher plant
-
Cephalotus follicularis
a carnivorous perennial herb having a green pitcher and hinged lid both with red edges; western Australia
-
Cerastium
mouse-eared chickweed
-
Ceratonia
carobs
-
Ceratonia siliqua
evergreen Mediterranean tree with edible pods; the biblical carob
-
Cercis
deciduous shrubs and trees of eastern Asia, southern Europe and the United States
-
Cheiranthus
Old World perennial plants grown for their showy flowers
-
Cheiranthus cheiri
perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in genus Erysimum
-
Chelidonium
one species: greater celandine
-
Chelidonium majus
perennial herb with branched woody stock and bright yellow flowers
-
Chelone
herbaceous perennials: shellflower
-
Chenopodium
goosefoot; pigweed
-
Chenopodium glaucum
annual European plant with spikes of greenish flowers and leaves that are white and hairy on the underside; common as a weed in North America
-
Chenopodium murale
European annual with coarsely dentate leaves; widespread in United States and southern Canada
-
Chenopodium vulvaria
European goosefoot with strong-scented foliage; adventive in eastern North America
-
cherry
any of numerous trees and shrubs producing a small fleshy round fruit with a single hard stone; many also produce a valuable hardwood
-
chestnut
any of several attractive deciduous trees yellow-brown in autumn; yield a hard wood and edible nuts in a prickly bur
-
chicory
perennial Old World herb having rayed flower heads with blue florets cultivated for its root and its heads of crisp edible leaves used in salads
-
Chinese primrose
cultivated Asiatic primrose
-
chive
perennial having hollow cylindrical leaves used for seasoning
-
chives
perennial having hollow cylindrical leaves used for seasoning
-
chlorophyll
any of a group of green pigments found in photosynthetic organisms; there are four naturally occurring forms
-
chrysanthemum
any of numerous perennial Old World herbs having showy brightly colored flower heads of the genera Chrysanthemum, Argyranthemum, Dendranthema, Tanacetum; widely cultivated
-
Chrysosplenium
genus of widely distributed semiaquatic herbs with minute greenish-yellow apetalous flowers
-
Cichorium
chicory
-
Cicuta
small genus of perennial herbs having deadly poisonous tuberous roots: water hemlock
-
cilium
a hairlike projection from the surface of a cell; provides locomotion in free-swimming unicellular organisms
-
cineraria
herb of Canary Islands widely cultivated for its blue or purple or red or variegated daisylike flowers
-
circinate
shaped like a ring
-
Cirsium
plume thistles
-
Cirsium arvense
European thistle naturalized in United States and Canada where it is a pernicious weed
-
Cirsium lanceolatum
European thistle with rather large heads and prickly leaves; extensively naturalized as a weed in the United States
-
Cistus
small to medium-sized evergreen shrubs of southern Europe and North Africa
-
citrus
any of numerous tropical usually thorny evergreen trees of the genus Citrus having leathery evergreen leaves and widely cultivated for their juicy edible fruits having leathery aromatic rinds
-
Citrus aurantium
any of various common orange trees yielding sour or bitter fruit; used as grafting stock
-
cladode
a flattened stem resembling and functioning as a leaf
-
cleavage
the act of cleaving or splitting
-
clematis
any of various ornamental climbing plants of the genus Clematis usually having showy flowers
-
Cleome
tropical and subtropical annual or perennial herbs or low shrubs
-
Clitoria
genus of tropical shrubs or vines having pinnate leaves and large axillary flowers
-
clusia
an aromatic tree of the genus Clusia having large white or yellow or pink flowers
-
Clusia rosea
a common tropical American clusia having solitary white or rose flowers
-
Cnicus
one species: blessed thistle
-
Cochlearia
a genus of the family Cruciferae
-
cockscomb
the fleshy red crest on the head of the domestic fowl and other gallinaceous birds
-
Cocos
coconut palms
-
Cocos nucifera
tall palm tree bearing coconuts as fruits; widely planted throughout the tropics
-
coherent
marked by an orderly, logical, and aesthetically consistent relation of parts
-
cohesion
the state of cohering or sticking together
-
Cola acuminata
tree bearing large brown nuts containing e.g. caffeine; source of cola extract
-
Colchicum
chiefly fall-blooming perennial cormous herbs; sometimes placed in family Colchicaceae
-
Colchicum autumnale
bulbous autumn-flowering herb with white, purple or lavender-and-white flowers; native to western and central Europe
-
coleus
any of various Old World tropical plants of the genus Coleus having multicolored decorative leaves and spikes of blue flowers
-
coloration
appearance with regard to color
-
columbine
a plant of the genus Aquilegia having irregular showy spurred flowers; north temperate regions especially mountains
-
columella
a small column (or structure resembling a column) that is a part of a plant or animal
-
columnea
tropical plant having thick hairy somewhat toothed leaves and solitary or clustered yellow to scarlet flowers; many cultivated for their flowers and ornamental foliage
-
Colutea
small genus of Eurasian shrubs with yellow flowers and bladdery pods
-
common dandelion
Eurasian plant widely naturalized as a weed in North America; used as salad greens and to make wine
-
common foxglove
tall leafy European biennial or perennial having spectacular clusters of large tubular pink-purple flowers; leaves yield drug digitalis and are poisonous to livestock
-
common ivy
Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
-
common marigold
the common European annual marigold
-
common pea
plant producing peas usually eaten fresh rather than dried
-
Comoros
a country on the Comoro Islands
-
comparative anatomy
the study of anatomical features of animals of different species
-
component
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
-
composite
consisting of separate interconnected parts
-
compound
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
-
compound leaf
a leaf composed of a number of leaflets on a common stalk
-
computer code
(computer science) the symbolic arrangement of data or instructions in a computer program or the set of such instructions
-
computer virus
a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer
-
concave
curving inward
-
concretion
the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts
-
configuration
an arrangement of parts or elements
-
confluence
a place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers)
-
conformation
acting according to certain accepted standards
-
congenital
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
conical projection
a map projection of the globe onto a cone with its point over one of the earth's poles
-
conifer
any gymnospermous tree or shrub bearing cones
-
Conium
small genus of highly toxic biennials: hemlock
-
Conium maculatum
large branching biennial herb native to Eurasia and Africa and adventive in North America having large fernlike leaves and white flowers; usually found in damp habitats; all parts extremely poisonous
-
conjugate
undergo conjugation
-
connate
related in nature
-
connective
connecting or tending to connect
-
Consolida
plants having flowers resembling the larkspur's but differing from larkspur's in the arrangement of petals; sometimes included in genus Delphinium
-
Convallaria
sometimes placed in family Convallariaceae: lily of the valley
-
Convallaria majalis
low-growing perennial plant having usually two large oblong lanceolate leaves and a raceme of small fragrant nodding bell-shaped flowers followed by scarlet berries
-
convergent
tending to come together from different directions
-
convolvulus
any of numerous plants of the genus Convolvulus
-
Convolvulus sepium
common Eurasian and American wild climber with pink flowers; sometimes placed in genus Convolvulus
-
Conyza
common American weed or wildflower
-
Corallorhiza
genus of leafless root-parasitic orchids having small purplish or yellowish racemose flowers with lobed lips; widely distributed in temperate regions
-
Corchorus
widely distributed genus of tropical herbs or subshrubs; especially Asia
-
coreopsis
any of numerous plants of the genus Coreopsis having a profusion of showy usually yellow daisylike flowers over long periods; North and South America
-
corm
solid swollen underground bulb-shaped stem or stem base and serving as a reproductive structure
-
cornu
(anatomy) any structure that resembles a horn in shape
-
Cornus
a rosid dicot genus of the family Cornaceae including: dogwood; cornel: perennial chiefly deciduous shrubs or small trees of temperate regions of northern hemisphere
-
Cornus mas
deciduous European shrub or small tree having bright red fruit
-
Cornus sanguinea
European deciduous shrub turning red in autumn having dull white flowers
-
corolla
(botany) the whorl of petals of a flower that collectively form an inner floral envelope or layer of the perianth
-
corona
one or more circles of light seen around a luminous object
-
coronal
flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
-
coronilla
any of various plants of the genus Coronilla having purple or pink or yellow flowers in long axillary heads or umbels
-
Corydalis
type genus of the Corydalidae
-
Corydalis solida
herb of northern Europe and Asia having erect racemes of red flowers
-
Corylus
deciduous monoecious nut-bearing shrubs of small trees: hazel; sometimes placed in the subfamily or family Corylaceae
-
Corylus avellana
small nut-bearing tree much grown in Europe
-
corymb
flat-topped or convex inflorescence in which the individual flower stalks grow upward from various points on the main stem to approximately the same height; outer flowers open first
-
Cotinus
smoke trees
-
cotoneaster
any shrub of the genus Cotoneaster: erect or creeping shrubs having richly colored autumn foliage and many small white to pinkish flowers followed by tiny red or black fruits
-
Cotula
cosmopolitan herbs especially southern hemisphere; many used as ground covers
-
cotyledon
embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants
-
cowslip
early spring flower common in British isles having fragrant yellow or sometimes purple flowers
-
Crassula
type genus of Crassulaceae; herbs and small shrubs having woody stems and succulent aerial parts
-
Crepis
hawk's-beard; cosmopolitan in northern hemisphere
-
crevice
a long narrow opening
-
crocus
any of numerous low-growing plants of the genus Crocus having slender grasslike leaves and white or yellow or purple flowers; native chiefly to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated
-
cross section
a section created by a plane cutting a solid perpendicular to its longest axis
-
crucifer
any of various plants of the family Cruciferae
-
crus
the leg from the knee to foot
-
cryptogam
formerly recognized taxonomic group including all flowerless and seedless plants that reproduce by means of spores: ferns, mosses, algae, fungi
-
Cryptomeria
Japanese cedar; sugi
-
Cryptomeria japonica
tall evergreen of Japan and China yielding valuable soft wood
-
cucumber
a melon vine of the genus Cucumis; cultivated from earliest times for its cylindrical green fruit
-
Cucumis
cucumbers; muskmelons
-
cucurbit
any plant of the family Cucurbitaceae
-
Cucurbita
type genus of the Cucurbitaceae
-
culm
stem of plants of the Gramineae
-
cultivated carrot
perennial plant widely cultivated as an annual in many varieties for its long conical orange edible roots; temperate and tropical regions
-
cultivated plant
plants that are grown for their produce
-
cupping
a treatment in which evacuated cups are applied to the skin to draw blood through the surface
-
Cupressus
type genus of Cupressaceae
-
cupule
cup-shaped structure of hardened bracts at the base of an acorn
-
cyclamen
Mediterranean plant widely cultivated as a houseplant for its showy dark green leaves splotched with silver and nodding white or pink to reddish flowers with reflexed petals
-
Cydonia
quince
-
cyme
more or less flat-topped cluster of flowers in which the central or terminal flower opens first
-
cymose
having a usually flat-topped flower cluster in which the main and branch stems each end in a flower that opens before those below it or to its side
-
Cypripedium
genus of chiefly American perennial leafy-stemmed orchids: lady's slippers; sometimes includes species of genus Paphiopedilum
-
Cytisus
large genus of stiff or spiny evergreen or deciduous Old World shrubs: broom
-
Cytisus albus
low European broom having trifoliate leaves and yellowish-white flowers
-
Dactylis
a monocotyledonous grass of the family Gramineae (has only one species)
-
Dactylis glomerata
widely grown stout Old World hay and pasture grass
-
daffodil
any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown
-
dahlia
any of several plants of or developed from the species Dahlia pinnata having tuberous roots and showy rayed variously colored flower heads; native to the mountains of Mexico and Central America and Colombia
-
dandelion
any of several herbs of the genus Taraxacum having long tap roots and deeply notched leaves and bright yellow flowers followed by fluffy seed balls
-
Darwin
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
-
date palm
tall tropical feather palm tree native to Syria bearing sweet edible fruit
-
Datura
thorn apple
-
Datura arborea
a South American plant that is cultivated for its large fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers
-
Daucus
carrot
-
deciduous
(of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
-
decussate
crossed or intersected in the form of an X
-
decussation
an intersection or crossing of two tracts in the form of the letter X
-
degeneration
the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
-
delphinium
any plant of the genus Delphinium having palmately divided leaves and showy spikes of variously colored spurred flowers; some contain extremely poisonous substances
-
dendrobium
a plant of the genus Dendrobium having stems like cane and usually showy racemose flowers
-
dentate
having toothlike projections in the margin
-
Desmodium
beggarweed; tick trefoil
-
deutzia
any of various shrubs of the genus Deutzia having usually toothed opposite leaves and shredding bark and white or pink flowers in loose terminal clusters
-
dialysis
separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
-
Dianthus
carnations and pinks
-
Dianthus barbatus
Eurasian pink widely cultivated for its flat-topped dense clusters of varicolored flowers
-
diaphragm
(anatomy) a muscular partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities; functions in respiration
-
diaphysis
the main (mid) section of a long bone
-
diclinous
having pistils and stamens in separate flowers
-
dicot
flowering plant with two cotyledons; the stem grows by deposit on its outside
-
dicotyledon
flowering plant with two cotyledons; the stem grows by deposit on its outside
-
dicotyledonous
(of a flowering plant) having two cotyledons in the seed
-
Dictamnus
a dicotyledonous genus of the family Rutaceae
-
digitalis
any of several plants of the genus Digitalis
-
Digitalis lutea
European yellow-flowered foxglove
-
Digitalis purpurea
tall leafy European biennial or perennial having spectacular clusters of large tubular pink-purple flowers; leaves yield drug digitalis and are poisonous to livestock
-
digitate
resembling a finger
-
dilatation
the act of expanding an aperture
-
dilate
become wider
-
dimorphic
occurring or existing in two different forms
-
dimorphism
(chemistry) the property of certain substances that enables them to exist in two distinct crystalline forms
-
dioecious
having male and female reproductive organs in separate plants or animals
-
Diplotaxis
wall rocket
-
Diplotaxis muralis
yellow-flowered European plant that grows on old walls and in waste places; an adventive weed in North America
-
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
yellow-flowered European plant that grows on old walls and in waste places; an adventive weed in North America
-
Dipsacus
type genus of the Dipsacaceae: teasel
-
Dipsacus fullonum
teasel with lilac flowers native to Old World but naturalized in North America; dried flower heads used to raise a nap on woolen cloth
-
Dipsacus sylvestris
European teasel with white to pink flowers; naturalized in United States
-
Dirca
deciduous shrub of North America: leatherwood
-
dislocation
an event that results in a displacement or discontinuity
-
displacement
to move something from its natural environment
-
dissociation
the act of removing from association
-
distal
situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone
-
divergence
the act of moving away in different direction from a common point
-
divergent
tending to move apart in different directions
-
dodo
extinct heavy flightless bird of Mauritius related to pigeons
-
draba
any of numerous low-growing cushion-forming plants of the genus Draba having rosette-forming leaves and terminal racemes of small flowers with scapose or leafy stems; fruit is a dehiscent oblong or linear silique
-
Dracocephalum
genus of American herbs and dwarf shrubs of the mind family: dragonheads
-
dracontium
any plant of the genus Dracontium; strongly malodorous tropical American plants usually with gigantic leaves
-
Drosera
the type genus of Droseraceae including many low bog-inhabiting insectivorous plants
-
drupe
fleshy indehiscent fruit with a single seed: e.g. almond; peach; plum; cherry; elderberry; olive; jujube
-
duplication
the act of copying or making a duplicate (or duplicates) of something
-
echinocactus
any cactus of the genus Echinocactus; strongly ribbed and very spiny; southwestern United States to Brazil
-
Echium
a genus of bristly herbs and shrubs of the family Boraginaceae
-
Echium vulgare
a coarse prickly European weed with spikes of blue flowers; naturalized in United States
-
electronic
of or relating to electronics; concerned with or using devices that operate on principles governing the behavior of electrons
-
element
any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
-
elongate
make long or longer by pulling and stretching
-
elongation
the act of lengthening something
-
email
(computer science) a system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that can be regenerated at the recipient's terminal when the recipient logs in
-
embryo
an animal organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation that in higher forms merge into fetal stages but in lower forms terminate in commencement of larval life
-
Empetrum
crowberries
-
enation
a natural projection or outgrowth from a plant body or organ
-
endocarp
the hard inner (usually woody) layer of the pericarp of some fruits (as peaches or plums or cherries or olives) that contains the seed
-
endogen
a monocotyledonous flowering plant; the stem grows by deposits on its inside
-
entire leaf
a leaf having a smooth margin without notches or indentations
-
envelope
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
-
epacris
any heathlike evergreen shrub of the genus Epacris grown for their showy and crowded spikes of small bell-shaped or tubular flowers
-
Epacris impressa
spindly upright shrub of southern Australia and Tasmania having white to rose or purple-red flowers
-
epicalyx
a group of bracts simulating a calyx as in a carnation or hibiscus
-
Epidendrum
large and variable genus of terrestrial or epiphytic or lithophytic orchids of tropical and subtropical Americas; some native to United States
-
Epilobium
large widely distributed genus of herbs and subshrubs of especially western North America and Arctic areas
-
Epilobium hirsutum
plant of Europe and Asia having purplish-red flowers and hairy stems and leaves; introduced into North America
-
Epimedium
herbaceous perennials of Mediterranean to India and eastern Asia
-
Epipactis
genus of hardy orchids with leafy-bracted racemes of greenish or purplish irregular flowers
-
epiphyllum
any cactus of the genus Epiphyllum having flattened jointed irregularly branching stems and showy tubular flowers
-
episcia
any plant of the genus Episcia; usually creeping and stoloniferous and of cascading habit; grown for their colorful foliage and flowers
-
Equisetum
horsetails; coextensive with the family Equisetaceae
-
Eranthis
winter aconite
-
Eranthis hyemalis
small Old World perennial herb grown for its bright yellow flowers which appear in early spring often before snow is gone
-
erica
any plant of the genus Erica
-
Eriobotrya
Asiatic evergreen fruit trees
-
Eriobotrya japonica
evergreen tree of warm regions having fuzzy yellow olive-sized fruit with a large free stone; native to China and Japan
-
Erodium
geraniums of Europe and South America and Australia especially mountainous regions
-
Eryngium
large genus of decorative plants with thistlelike flower heads; cosmopolitan in distribution
-
Erysimum
large genus of annual or perennial herbs some grown for their flowers and some for their attractive evergreen leaves; Old World and North America
-
etiolated
(especially of plants) developed without chlorophyll by being deprived of light
-
etiolation
the act of weakening by stunting the growth or development of something
-
Euonymus
widely distributed chiefly evergreen shrubs or small trees or vines
-
Euphorbia
type genus of the Euphorbiaceae: very large genus of diverse plants all having milky juice
-
Euphorbia esula
tall European perennial naturalized and troublesome as a weed in eastern North America
-
Euphorbia helioscopia
not unattractive European weed whose flowers turn toward the sun
-
evolution
(biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms
-
excrescence
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
-
exogen
flowering plant with two cotyledons; the stem grows by deposit on its outside
-
experimentally
in an experimental fashion
-
Fabiana
genus of South and Central American heathlike evergreen shrubs
-
Fagus
beeches
-
Fagus sylvatica
large European beech with minutely-toothed leaves; widely planted as an ornamental in North America
-
fascicle
an installment of a printed work
-
fastigiate
having clusters of erect branches (often appearing to form a single column)
-
fertilization
making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure
-
Festuca
a genus of tufted perennial grasses of the family Gramineae
-
fibril
a very slender natural or synthetic fiber
-
Ficus
large genus of tropical trees or shrubs or climbers including fig trees
-
filago
any plant of the genus Filago having capitate clusters of small woolly flower heads
-
Filago germanica
(literally an undutiful herb) a variety of cotton rose
-
filament
a thin wire (usually tungsten) that is heated white hot by the passage of an electric current
-
filename
(computer science) the name given to a computer file in order to distinguish it from other files; may contain an extension that indicates the type of file
-
fission
reproduction of some unicellular organisms by division of the cell into two more or less equal parts
-
fissiparous
reproducing by fission
-
floral
relating to or associated with flowers
-
floral envelope
collective term for the outer parts of a flower consisting of the calyx and corolla and enclosing the stamens and pistils
-
floret
a diminutive flower (especially one that is part of a composite flower)
-
flower bud
a bud from which only a flower or flowers develop
-
flower head
a shortened compact cluster of flowers so arranged that the whole gives the effect of a single flower as in clover or members of the family Compositae
-
flower petal
part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
-
flower stalk
erect leafless flower stalk growing directly from the ground as in a tulip
-
flowering
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
-
flowering cherry
any of several shrubs or trees of the genus Prunus cultivated for their showy white or pink single or double blossoms
-
flowering plant
plants having seeds in a closed ovary
-
foliaceous
of or pertaining to or resembling the leaf of a plant
-
folium
a thin layer or stratum of (especially metamorphic) rock
-
follicle
any small spherical group of cells containing a cavity
-
foramen
a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure
-
format
the general appearance of a publication
-
foxglove
any of several plants of the genus Digitalis
-
Fragaria
strawberries
-
Fragaria vesca
Europe
-
fraxinella
Eurasian perennial herb with white flowers that emit flammable vapor in hot weather
-
Fraxinus
ash
-
Fraxinus excelsior
tall ash of Europe to the Caucasus having leaves shiny dark-green above and pale downy beneath
-
free central placentation
where ovules develop on a central column in a compound ovary lacking septa or with septa at base only
-
fringed
surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination
-
Fritillaria
fritillary
-
Fritillaria imperialis
Eurasian herb with a cluster of leaves and orange-red bell-shaped flowers at the top of the stem
-
frond
compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
-
fructification
the bearing of fruit
-
fuchsia
any of various tropical shrubs widely cultivated for their showy drooping purplish or reddish or white flowers; Central and South America and New Zealand and Tahiti
-
Fuchsia coccinea
erect or climbing shrub of Brazil with deep pink to red flowers
-
full moon
the time when the Moon is fully illuminated
-
fungous
of or relating to fungi
-
fungus
an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia
-
funicle
the stalk of a plant ovule or seed
-
funiculus
any of several body structure resembling a cord
-
fusiform
tapering at each end
-
fusion
the act of fusing (or melting) together
-
gaillardia
any plant of western America of the genus Gaillardia having hairy leaves and long-stalked flowers in hot vibrant colors from golden yellow and copper to rich burgundy
-
Galeopsis
erect annual European herbs
-
Galium
annual or perennial herbs: bedstraw; cleavers
-
Galium aparine
annual having the stem beset with curved prickles; North America and Europe and Asia
-
garden pea
plant producing peas usually eaten fresh rather than dried
-
gardenia
any of various shrubs and small trees of the genus Gardenia having large fragrant white or yellow flowers
-
Geiger
German physicist who developed the Geiger counter (1882-1945)
-
gemma
small asexual reproductive structure in e.g. liverworts and mosses that detaches from the parent and develops into a new individual
-
Genista
chiefly deciduous shrubs or small trees of Mediterranean area and western Asia: broom
-
Genista tinctoria
small Eurasian shrub having clusters of yellow flowers that yield a dye; common as a weed in Britain and the United States; sometimes grown as an ornamental
-
genitalia
external sex organ
-
Gentiana
type genus of the Gentianaceae; cosmopolitan genus of herbs nearly cosmopolitan in cool temperate regions; in some classifications includes genera Gentianopsis and Gentianella
-
genus
(biology) taxonomic group containing one or more species
-
genus Allium
large genus of perennial and biennial pungent bulbous plants: garlic; leek; onion; chive; sometimes placed in family Alliaceae as the type genus
-
genus Brassica
mustards: cabbages; cauliflowers; turnips; etc.
-
genus Citrus
orange; lemon; lime; etc.
-
genus Geranium
genus of mostly North American geraniums: cranesbills
-
genus Halenia
genus of herbs of Eurasia and the Americas: spurred gentians
-
genus Pelargonium
geraniums native chiefly to South Africa; widely cultivated
-
genus Ranunculus
annual, biennial or perennial herbs: buttercup; crowfoot
-
geranium
any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae
-
Geranium pratense
tall perennial cranesbill with paired violet-blue axillary flowers; native to northern parts of Old World and naturalized in North America
-
germinal
containing seeds of later development
-
germinate
produce buds, branches, or germinate
-
Geum
avens
-
Geum rivale
erect perennial of north temperate zone having pinnate leaves and a few nodding flowers with a brown-purple calyx and orange and pink petals
-
glabrous
having no hair or similar growth; smooth
-
gladiolus
any of numerous plants of the genus Gladiolus native chiefly to tropical and South Africa having sword-shaped leaves and one-sided spikes of brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers; widely cultivated
-
gland
any of various organs that synthesize substances needed by the body and release it through ducts or directly into the bloodstream
-
glandular
relating to or affecting or functioning as a gland
-
Glaucium
herbs of Europe and North Africa and Asia: horned poppy
-
gloxinia
any of several plants of the genera Gloxinia or Sinningia (greenhouse gloxinias) having showy bell-shaped flowers
-
glume
small dry membranous bract found in inflorescences of Gramineae and Cyperaceae
-
Glyceria
manna grass
-
Goodenia
a genus of shrubs and herbs that grow in Australia and New Guinea and Malaysia and southeast Asia
-
gourd
any vine of the family Cucurbitaceae that bears fruits with hard rinds
-
groundsel
Eurasian weed with heads of small yellow flowers
-
gymnosperm
plants of the class Gymnospermae having seeds not enclosed in an ovary
-
gynoecium
a female gametoecium
-
gynophore
the stalk of a pistil that raises it above the receptacle
-
Gypsophila
Mediterranean herbs having small white or pink flowers
-
Habenaria
chiefly terrestrial orchids with tubers or fleshy roots often having long slender spurs and petals and lip lobes; includes species formerly placed in genus Gymnadeniopsis
-
Habenaria bifolia
south European orchid having fragrant greenish-white flowers; sometimes placed in genus Habenaria
-
Habenaria chlorantha
south European orchid with dark green flowers that are larger and less fragrant than Platanthera bifolia; sometimes placed in genus Habenaria
-
habitat
the type of environment in which an organism or group normally lives or occurs
-
Halenia
genus of herbs of Eurasia and the Americas: spurred gentians
-
haricot
a French variety of green bean plant bearing light-colored beans
-
hastate
(of a leaf shape) like a spear point, with flaring pointed lobes at the base
-
haulm
stems of beans and peas and potatoes and grasses collectively as used for thatching and bedding
-
Hedera
Old World woody vines
-
helianthemum
any plant of the genus Helianthemum; vigorous plants of stony alpine meadows and dry scrub regions
-
helianthus
any plant of the genus Helianthus having large flower heads with dark disk florets and showy yellow rays
-
Helianthus tuberosus
tall perennial with hairy stems and leaves; widely cultivated for its large irregular edible tubers
-
Helix
type genus of the family Helicidae
-
Helleborus
a genus of Helleborus
-
Helwingia
deciduous dioecious shrubs native to woodland thickets in low mountains in Japan
-
Hemerocallis
east Asian rhizomatous clump-forming perennial herbs having flowers on long leafless stalks; cosmopolitan in cultivation: day lilies; sometimes placed in subfamily Hemerocallidaceae
-
hepatica
any of several plants of the genus Hepatica having three-lobed leaves and white or pinkish flowers in early spring; of moist and mossy subalpine woodland areas of north temperate regions
-
Heracleum
widely distributed genus of plants with usually thick rootstocks and large umbels of white flowers
-
herbaceous
characteristic of a nonwoody herb or plant part
-
herbaceous plant
a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
-
herbarium
a collection of dried plants that are mounted and systematically classified for study
-
hermaphrodite
one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
-
Hesperis
biennial or perennial erect herbs having nocturnally fragrant flowers
-
Hesperis matronalis
long cultivated herb having flowers whose scent is more pronounced in the evening; naturalized throughout Europe to Siberia and into North America
-
heterologous
derived from organisms of a different but related species
-
hibiscus
any plant of the genus Hibiscus
-
Hibiscus mutabilis
Chinese shrub or small tree having white or pink flowers becoming deep red at night; widely cultivated; naturalized in southeastern United States
-
Hibiscus syriacus
Asiatic shrub or small shrubby tree having showy bell-shaped rose or purple or white flowers and usually three-lobed leaves; widely cultivated in temperate North America and Europe
-
Hieracium
large genus of perennial hairy herbs of Europe to western Asia to northwestern Africa and North America; few are ornamental; often considered congeneric with Pilosella
-
hippeastrum
amaryllis of tropical America often cultivated as a houseplant for its showy white to red flowers
-
Holcus
a genus of Old World grasses widely cultivated in America
-
Holcus mollis
European perennial grass with soft velvety foliage
-
homologous
corresponding or similar in position or structure or function or characteristics; especially derived from an organism of the same species
-
honeysuckle
shrub or vine of the genus Lonicera
-
Hordeum
annual to perennial grasses of temperate northern hemisphere and South America: barley
-
hornbeam
any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Carpinus
-
hoya
any plant of the genus Hoya having fleshy leaves and usually nectariferous flowers
-
Humulus
hops: hardy perennial vines of Europe, North America and central and eastern Asia producing a latex sap; in some classifications included in the family Urticaceae
-
hyacinth
any of numerous bulbous perennial herbs
-
Hyacinthus orientalis
widely grown for its fragrance and its white, pink, blue, or purplish flowers
-
hybrid
a composite of mixed origin
-
hybridisation
(genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
-
hybridization
(genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
-
hydrangea
any of various deciduous or evergreen shrubs of the genus Hydrangea
-
Hydrocharis
frogbit
-
Hydrophyllum
waterleaf
-
Hyoscyamus
genus of poisonous herbs: henbane
-
hypanthium
the cuplike or ringlike or tubular structure of a flower which bears the sepals and stamens and calyx (as in Rosaceae)
-
Hypericum
large almost cosmopolitan genus of evergreen or deciduous shrubs and herbs with often showy yellow flowers; cosmopolitan except tropical lowlands and Arctic or high altitudes and desert regions
-
Hypericum perforatum
yellow-flowered perennial common in fields and waste places but a weed in rangelands
-
hypertext
machine-readable text that is not sequential but is organized so that related items of information are connected
-
hypertrophy
abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ
-
Hyssopus
Eurasian genus of perennial herbs or subshrubs
-
Hyssopus officinalis
a European mint with aromatic and pungent leaves used in perfumery and as a seasoning in cookery; often cultivated as a remedy for bruises; yields hyssop oil
-
Iberis
Old World herbs and subshrubs: candytuft
-
Ilex
a large genus of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs of the family Aquifoliaceae that have small flowers and berries (including hollies)
-
indehiscent
(of e.g. fruits) not opening spontaneously at maturity to release seeds
-
indeterminate
not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
-
Indian cress
strong-growing annual climber having large flowers of all shades of orange from orange-red to yellowish orange and seeds that are pickled and used like capers
-
Indigofera
genus of tropical herbs and shrubs having odd-pinnate leaves and spurred flowers in long racemes or spikes
-
indusium
a membrane enclosing and protecting the developing spores especially that covering the sori of a fern
-
inelastic
not elastic
-
inflorescence
the flowering part of a plant or arrangement of flowers on a stalk
-
Insectivora
shrews; moles; hedgehogs; tenrecs
-
instar
an insect or other arthropod between molts
-
integument
an outer protective covering such as the skin of an animal or a cuticle or seed coat or rind or shell
-
intercellular
located between cells
-
internode
a segment of a stem between two nodes
-
intumescence
swelling up with blood or other fluids (as with congestion)
-
inula
any plant of the genus Inula
-
invalidity
illogicality as a consequence of having a conclusion that does not follow from the premisses
-
inversion
the act of turning inside out
-
involucre
a highly conspicuous bract or bract pair or ring of bracts at the base of an inflorescence
-
involute
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
-
Ipomoea
morning glory
-
iris
muscular diaphragm that controls the size of the pupil which in turn controls the amount of light that enters the eye; it forms the colored portion of the eye
-
Iris versicolor
a common iris of the eastern United States having blue or blue-violet flowers; root formerly used medicinally
-
iva
any of various coarse shrubby plants of the genus Iva with small greenish flowers; common in moist areas (as coastal salt marshes) of eastern and central North America
-
Ixia
a monocotyledonous genus of the family Iridaceae
-
jaeger
rapacious seabird that pursues weaker birds to make them drop their prey
-
Jambos
used in some classifications for rose apples (Eugenia jambos)
-
japonica
greenhouse shrub with glossy green leaves and showy fragrant rose-like flowers; cultivated in many varieties
-
jasmine
any of several shrubs and vines of the genus Jasminum chiefly native to Asia
-
Jasminum
shrubs and woody climbers mostly of tropical and temperate Old World: jasmine; jessamine
-
Jasminum nudiflorum
deciduous rambling shrub widely cultivated for its winter-blooming yellow flowers
-
Jasminum officinale
a climbing deciduous shrub with fragrant white or yellow or red flowers used in perfume and to flavor tea
-
Jatropha
a mainly tropical genus of American plant belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae
-
John Tradescant
English botanist who was one of the first to collect specimens of plants (1570-1638)
-
Juglans
type genus of the Juglandaceae
-
Juglans nigra
North American walnut tree with hard dark wood and edible nut
-
Juglans regia
Eurasian walnut valued for its large edible nut and its hard richly figured wood; widely cultivated
-
Juncus
type genus of the Juncaceae; perennial tufted glabrous marsh plants of temperate regions: rushes
-
Juncus articulatus
rush of Australia
-
Juniperus
junipers
-
Juniperus virginiana
small juniper found east of Rocky Mountains having a conic crown, brown bark that peels in shreds, and small sharp needles
-
Jussieu
French botanist who categorized plants into families and developed a system of plant classification (1748-1836)
-
kail
a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head
-
kale
a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head
-
Kochia
summer cypress
-
Kochia scoparia
densely branched Eurasian plant; foliage turns purple-red in autumn
-
labiate
having lips or parts that resemble lips
-
Laburnum
flowering shrubs or trees having bright yellow flowers; all parts of the plant are poisonous
-
laciniate
having edges irregularly and finely slashed
-
Lactuca
an herb with milky juice: lettuce; prickly lettuce
-
Lactuca sativa
annual or perennial garden plant having succulent leaves used in salads; widely grown
-
ladanum
a soft blackish-brown resinous exudate from various rockroses used in perfumes especially as a fixative
-
Lambertia
small genus of Australian shrubs
-
lamina
a thin plate or layer (especially of bone or mineral)
-
laminar
arranged in or consisting of laminae
-
Lamium
genus of Old World herbs: dead nettles; henbits
-
Lamium album
European dead nettle with white flowers
-
lancet
a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions
-
larch
any of numerous conifers of the genus Larix all having deciduous needlelike leaves
-
Larix
larches
-
lateral
situated at or extending to the side
-
Lathyrus
genus of climbing herbs of Old World and temperate North and South America: vetchling; wild pea
-
Lathyrus latifolius
perennial climber of central and southern Europe having purple or pink or white flowers; naturalized in North America
-
Lathyrus tuberosus
European herb bearing small tubers used for food and in Scotland to flavor whiskey
-
Laurus
small evergreen trees or shrubs with aromatic leaves
-
Laurus nobilis
small Mediterranean evergreen tree with small blackish berries and glossy aromatic leaves used for flavoring in cooking; also used by ancient Greeks to crown victors
-
Lavatera
widespread genus of herbs or softwood arborescent shrubs cultivated for their showy flowers
-
leaf blade
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
-
leaf bud
a bud from which leaves (but not flowers) develop
-
legume
an erect or climbing bean or pea plant of the family Leguminosae
-
leguminous
relating to or consisting of legumes
-
leguminous plant
an erect or climbing bean or pea plant of the family Leguminosae
-
Leitneria
one species: corkwood
-
Leitneria floridana
very small deciduous dioecious tree or shrub of damp habitats in southeastern United States having extremely light wood
-
Leontodon
hawkbit
-
Lepidium
cosmopolitan genus of annual and biennial and perennial herbs: cress
-
Lepidium sativum
annual herb used as salad green and garnish
-
lettuce
any of various plants of the genus Lactuca
-
Leucanthemum
comprises plants often included in the genus Chrysanthemum
-
ligneous
consisting of or containing lignin or xylem
-
ligule
(botany) any appendage to a plant that is shaped like a strap
-
Lilium
type genus of Liliaceae
-
Lilium auratum
Japanese lily with golden rays
-
Lilium candidum
lily of eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans with broad funnel-shaped white flowers
-
Lilium lancifolium
east Asian perennial having large reddish-orange black-spotted flowers with reflexed petals
-
Linaria
genus of herbs and subshrubs having showy flowers: spurred snapdragon
-
Linaria vulgaris
common European perennial having showy yellow and orange flowers; a naturalized weed in North America
-
linear
of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single dimension
-
linear leaf
a long slender leaf
-
lingua
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
-
Linnean
of or relating to Linnaeus or to the system of taxonomic classification that Linnaeus proposed
-
Linum
a herbaceous plant genus of the family Linaceae with small sessile leaves
-
Liquidambar
sweet gum
-
Listera
genus of terrestrial orchids having usually a single pair of broad shining leaves near the middle of the stem; found in temperate Asia and North America and Europe
-
Listera ovata
orchid having a pair of ovate leaves and a long slender raceme of green flowers sometimes tinged red-brown; Europe to central Asia
-
lobe
a rounded projection that is part of a larger structure
-
lobed leaf
a leaf having deeply indented margins
-
lobelia
any plant or flower of the genus Lobelia
-
lobule
a small lobe or subdivision of a lobe
-
loculus
a small cavity or space within an organ or in a plant or animal
-
Lolium
darnel; ryegrass
-
Lolium perenne
European perennial grass widely cultivated for pasture and hay and as a lawn grass
-
Lombardy poplar
distinguished by its columnar fastigiate shape and erect branches
-
Lonicera
woodbine
-
Lonicera xylosteum
cultivated Eurasian shrub with twin yellowish-white flowers and scarlet fruit
-
Lotus corniculatus
European forage plant having claw-shaped pods introduced in America
-
Lunaria
small genus of European herbs: honesty
-
Lupinus
herbs or shrubs: lupin
-
lychnis
mostly perennial herbs with sticky stems that catch insects; widespread in north temperate zone
-
lychnis
mostly perennial herbs with sticky stems that catch insects; widespread in north temperate zone
-
Lychnis coronaria
an old cottage garden plant of southeastern Europe widely cultivated for its attractive white woolly foliage and showy crimson flowers
-
Lychnis dioica
biennial European catchfly having red or pink flowers; sometimes placed in genus Lychnis
-
Lycium
deciduous and evergreen shrubs often spiny; cosmopolitan in temperate and subtropical regions
-
Lycopersicum
tomatoes
-
Lysimachia
loosestrife: a cosmopolitan genus found in damp or swampy terrain having usually yellow flowers; inclined to be invasive
-
Lysimachia vulgaris
frequently considered a weed; Europe and Asia
-
Lythrum
loosestrife
-
ma
informal terms for a mother
-
machine readable
suitable for feeding directly into a computer
-
madder
Eurasian herb having small yellow flowers and red roots formerly an important source of the dye alizarin
-
magnolia
any shrub or tree of the genus Magnolia; valued for their longevity and exquisite fragrant blooms
-
maize
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
-
mallow
any of various plants of the family Malvaceae
-
Malus
apple trees; found throughout temperate zones of the northern hemisphere
-
Malva
herbs and subshrubs: mallows
-
Malva sylvestris
erect or decumbent Old World perennial with axillary clusters of rosy-purple flowers; introduced in United States
-
Mangifera
tropical tree native to Asia bearing fleshy fruit
-
Mangifera indica
large evergreen tropical tree cultivated for its large oval fruit
-
mango
large evergreen tropical tree cultivated for its large oval fruit
-
manus
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
-
Marchantia
type genus of Marchantiaceae; liverworts that reproduce asexually by gemmae and have stalked antheridiophores
-
marginal placentation
with ovules borne on the wall along the ventral suture of a simple ovary
-
marigold
any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers
-
martagon
lily with small dull purple flowers of northwestern Europe and northwestern Asia
-
martin
any of various swallows with squarish or slightly forked tail and long pointed wings; migrate around Martinmas
-
mascarpone
soft mild Italian cream cheese
-
masdevallia
any of numerous orchids of the genus Masdevallia; tufted evergreen often diminutive plants whose flowers in a remarkable range of colors usually resemble a tricorn with sepals fused at the base to form a tube
-
Matricaria
chiefly Old World strong-smelling weedy herbs; comprises plants sometimes included in other genera: e.g. Tanacetum; Tripleurospermum
-
Matthiola
genus of Old World plants grown as ornamentals
-
Matthiola incana
European plant with racemes of sweet-scented flowers; widely cultivated as an ornamental
-
maturation
coming to full development; becoming mature
-
maxillaria
any of numerous orchids of the genus Maxillaria often cultivated for their large brilliantly colored solitary flowers
-
medial
relating to or situated in or extending toward the middle
-
median
relating to or situated in or extending toward the middle
-
Medicago
a genus of herbs that resemble clover
-
Medicago lupulina
prostrate European herb with small yellow flowers and curved black pods; naturalized in North America
-
medlar
small deciduous Eurasian tree cultivated for its fruit that resemble crab apples
-
Melastoma
type genus of Melastomataceae; Asiatic shrubs with leathery leaves and large purple flowers followed by edible fleshy black berries
-
Meleagris
type genus of the Meleagrididae: wild and domestic turkeys
-
Melia
type genus of the Meliaceae: East Indian and Australian deciduous trees with leaves resembling those of the ash
-
melilotus
erect annual or biennial plant grown extensively especially for hay and soil improvement
-
Melilotus officinalis
biennial yellow-flowered Eurasian plant having aromatic leaves used as carminative or flavoring agent; widely cultivated especially as green manure or cover crop
-
Mentha
mint plants
-
Mentha aquatica
a European mint that thrives in wet places; has a perfume like that of the bergamot orange; naturalized in eastern North America
-
Mentzelia
genus of bristly herbs or subshrubs of western America lacking stinging hairs
-
Mercurialis
a genus of slender herbs belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae
-
Mercurialis annua
Eurafrican annual naturalized in America as a weed; formerly dried for use as a purgative, diuretic or antisyphilitic
-
Mercurialis perennis
European perennial weedy plant with greenish flowers
-
Mesembryanthemum
South African annual or biennial plants having flowers that open only in bright sunlight
-
Mespilus
medlars
-
metamorphosis
a striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
-
micropyle
minute opening in the wall of an ovule through which the pollen tube enters
-
midrib
the vein in the center of a leaf
-
mimosa
a mixed drink containing champagne and orange juice
-
Mirabilis
four o'clocks
-
Mnium
mosses similar to those of genus Bryum but larger
-
molle
small Peruvian evergreen with broad rounded head and slender pendant branches with attractive clusters of greenish flowers followed by clusters of rose-pink fruits
-
Momordica
Old World tropical vine
-
monarda
any of various aromatic herbs of the genus Monarda
-
Monarda fistulosa
perennial herb of North America
-
monocotyledon
a monocotyledonous flowering plant; the stem grows by deposits on its inside
-
monocotyledonous
(of a flowering plant) having a single cotyledon in the seed as in grasses and lilies
-
monstrosity
a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
-
morphological
relating to or concerned with the formation of admissible words in a language
-
morphology
the branch of biology that deals with the structure of animals and plants
-
Morus
type genus of the Moraceae: mulberries
-
Morus alba
Asiatic mulberry with white to pale red fruit; leaves used to feed silkworms
-
mother cell
cell from which another cell of an organism (usually of a different sort) develops
-
mulberry
any of several trees of the genus Morus having edible fruit that resembles the blackberry
-
multiflora
vigorously growing rose having clusters of numerous small flowers; used for hedges and as grafting stock
-
Muscari
sometimes placed in family Hyacinthaceae
-
Muscari comosum
large beautiful Mediterranean species having sterile bluish-violet flowers with fringed corollas forming a tuft above the fertile flowers
-
Musci
true mosses: bryophytes having leafy rather than thalloid gametophytes: comprises orders Andreaeales; Bryales; Dicranales; Eubryales; Sphagnales
-
Myosotis
forget-me-nots; scorpion grass
-
Myristica
type genus of Myristicaceae; tropical Asian evergreen trees with small white or yellow flowers followed by fleshy fruits
-
Myrtus
type genus of the Myrtaceae
-
Myrtus communis
European shrub with white or rosy flowers followed by black berries
-
napu
chevrotain somewhat larger than the kanchil; found in India and Malaya
-
narcissus
bulbous plant having erect linear leaves and showy yellow or white flowers either solitary or in clusters
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
Nasturtium
aquatic herbs
-
Nasturtium amphibium
perennial herb found on streams and riversides throughout Europe except extreme north and Mediterranean; sometimes placed in genus Nasturtium
-
naturalist
a biologist knowledgeable about natural history (especially botany and zoology)
-
nectarine
a variety or mutation of the peach that has a smooth skin
-
nectary
a gland (often a protuberance or depression) that secretes nectar
-
Nepenthes
pitcher plants
-
Nepeta
catmint
-
Nerium
one species: oleander
-
Nicandra
sturdy annual of Peru
-
Nicandra physaloides
coarse South American herb grown for its blue-and-white flowers followed by a bladderlike fruit enclosing a dry berry
-
Nicotiana
American and Asiatic aromatic herbs and shrubs with viscid foliage
-
Nicotiana rustica
tobacco plant of South America and Mexico
-
nidus
a nest in which spiders or insects deposit their eggs
-
nigella
any plant of the genus Nigella
-
Nigella damascena
European garden plant having finely cut leaves and white or pale blue flowers
-
node
any thickened enlargement
-
nucleus
a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction
-
Nuytsia
one species
-
oblique
slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
-
odontoglossum
any of numerous and diverse orchids of the genus Odontoglossum having racemes of few to many showy usually large flowers in many colors
-
Olea
evergreen trees and shrubs having oily one-seeded fruits
-
oleander
an ornamental but poisonous flowering shrub having narrow evergreen leaves and clusters of fragrant white to pink or red flowers: native to East Indies but widely cultivated in warm regions
-
oncidium
any orchid of the genus Oncidium: characterized by slender branching sprays of small yellow and brown flowers; often grown as houseplants
-
Ononis
genus of European subshrubs or herbs having pink or purple or yellow solitary or clustered flowers: restharrow
-
Ophrys
a hardy genus of terrestrial orchids of Europe and northern Africa and western Asia
-
Ophrys apifera
European orchid whose flowers resemble bumble bees in shape and color
-
Ophrys insectifera
European orchid whose flowers resemble flies
-
Opuntia
large genus of cactuses native to America: prickly pears
-
orbicular
circular or nearly circular
-
orchid
any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors
-
orchidaceous plant
any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors
-
orchis
any of various deciduous terrestrial orchids having fleshy tubers and flowers in erect terminal racemes
-
Orchis mascula
Eurasian orchid with showy pink or purple flowers in a loose spike
-
organism
a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
-
orifice
an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
-
Ornithogalum
sometimes placed in family Hyacinthaceae
-
outgrowth
the gradual beginning or coming forth
-
ovarian
of or involving the ovaries
-
ovary
(vertebrates) one of usually two organs that produce ova and secrete estrogen and progesterone
-
ovate
rounded like an egg
-
ovulate
produce and discharge eggs
-
ovule
a small or immature ovum
-
ovum
the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
-
oxalis
any plant or flower of the genus Oxalis
-
Oxalis cernua
South African bulbous wood sorrel with showy yellow flowers
-
palmate
(of the feet of water birds) having three toes connected by a thin fold of skin
-
palmate leaf
a leaf resembling an open hand; having lobes radiating from a common point
-
Panax
perennial herbs of eastern North America and Asia having aromatic tuberous roots: ginseng
-
panicle
compound raceme or branched cluster of flowers
-
panicled
having panicles; occurring in panicles
-
paniculate
having a panicle
-
Papaver
type genus of the Papaveraceae; chiefly bristly hairy herbs with usually showy flowers
-
Papaver orientale
commonly cultivated Asiatic perennial poppy having stiff heavily haired leaves and bright scarlet or pink to orange flowers
-
Papaver somniferum
southwestern Asian herb with greyish leaves and white or reddish flowers; source of opium
-
papaya
tropical American shrub or small tree having huge deeply palmately cleft leaves and large oblong yellow fruit
-
papilla
a small projection of tissue at the base of a hair or tooth or feather
-
pappus
calyx composed of scales or bristles or featherlike hairs in plants of the Compositae such as thistles and dandelions
-
parasitic
relating to or caused by parasites
-
parenchyma
animal tissue that constitutes the essential part of an organ as contrasted with e.g. connective tissue and blood vessels
-
parietal
of or relating to or associated with the parietal bones in the cranium
-
parietal placentation
where ovules develop on the wall or slight outgrowths of the wall forming broken partitions within a compound ovary
-
Paris quadrifolia
European herb with yellow-green flowers resembling and closely related to the trilliums; reputed to be poisonous
-
parnassia
any of various usually evergreen bog plants of the genus Parnassia having broad smooth basal leaves and a single pale flower resembling a buttercup
-
Paronychia
low-growing annual or perennial herbs or woody plants; whitlowworts
-
Parthenium
small genus of North American herbs and shrubs with terminal panicles of small ray flowers
-
parthenogenesis
process in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual; common among insects and some other arthropods
-
Passiflora
type genus of the Passifloraceae
-
Passiflora quadrangularis
tropical American passionflower yielding the large granadilla fruit
-
Pastinaca
a rosid dicot genus of the family Umbelliferae; includes parsnips
-
Pastinaca sativa
a strong-scented plant cultivated for its edible root
-
pathological
of or relating to the practice of pathology
-
pathology
the branch of medical science that studies the causes and nature and effects of diseases
-
pavonia
any of various evergreen plants of the genus Pavonia having white or yellow or purple flowers
-
pedicel
a small stalk bearing a single flower of an inflorescence; an ultimate division of a common peduncle
-
peduncle
stalk bearing an inflorescence or solitary flower
-
Pelargonium
geraniums native chiefly to South Africa; widely cultivated
-
Pelargonium peltatum
a commonly cultivated trailing South American plant with peltate leaves and rosy flowers
-
peltate
(of a leaf shape) round, with the stem attached near the center of the lower surface rather than the margin (as a nasturtium leaf for example)
-
peltate leaf
a shield-shaped leaf; as a nasturtium leaf
-
pendulous
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
-
pentamerous
divided into five parts; specifically, having each floral whorl consist of five (or a multiple of five) members
-
Pereskia
genus of tropical American shrubby trees and woody climbers having slender branches with broad flat leaves and large panicles of flowers
-
perfoliate
(of a leaf) having the base united around (and apparently pierced by) the stem
-
perianth
collective term for the outer parts of a flower consisting of the calyx and corolla and enclosing the stamens and pistils
-
pericarp
the ripened and variously modified walls of a plant ovary
-
Perilla
small genus of Asiatic herbs
-
peristome
(botany) fringe of toothlike appendages surrounding the mouth of a moss capsule
-
Persian lilac
tree of northern India and China having purple blossoms and small inedible yellow fruits; naturalized in the southern United States as a shade tree
-
Petasites
genus of rhizomatous herbs of north temperate regions: butterbur; sweet coltsfoot
-
petiole
the slender stem that supports the blade of a leaf
-
petiolule
the stalk of a leaflet
-
Petroselinum
parsley
-
petunia
any of numerous tropical herbs having fluted funnel-shaped flowers
-
phaius
an orchid of the genus Phaius having large plicate leaves and racemes of showy flowers
-
phalanx
any closely ranked crowd of people
-
Phaseolus
herbs of warm regions including most American beans
-
philadelphus
any of various chiefly deciduous ornamental shrubs of the genus Philadelphus having white sweet-scented flowers, single or in clusters; widely grown in temperate regions
-
Phleum
grasses native to temperate regions
-
Phleum pratense
grass with long cylindrical spikes grown in northern United States and Europe for hay
-
phlomis
any of various plants of the genus Phlomis; grown primarily for their dense whorls of lipped flowers and attractive foliage
-
Phlomis fruticosa
a spreading subshrub of Mediterranean regions cultivated for dense axillary whorls of purple or yellow flowers
-
phlox
any polemoniaceous plant of the genus Phlox; chiefly North American; cultivated for their clusters of flowers
-
Phoenix dactylifera
tall tropical feather palm tree native to Syria bearing sweet edible fruit
-
phyllode
an expanded petiole taking on the function of a leaf blade
-
physiologically
of or relating to physiological processes; with respect to physiology
-
physiology
the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms
-
Phytolacca
type genus of Phytolaccaceae: pokeweed
-
Pica
magpies
-
Picea
a genus of temperate and Arctic evergreen trees (see spruce)
-
Picrasma
small genus of deciduous trees of tropical America and Asia
-
pileus
a fruiting structure resembling an umbrella or a cone that forms the top of a stalked fleshy fungus such as a mushroom
-
Pilosella
genus of hairy perennial herbs with horizontal rhizomes and leafy or underground stolons; Eurasia and North Africa; often considered congeneric with Hieracium
-
Pimpinella
anise
-
Pinckneya
small genus of shrubs or small trees of southeastern United States and northern South America
-
pineapple
a tropical American plant bearing a large fleshy edible fruit with a terminal tuft of stiff leaves; widely cultivated in the tropics
-
pinna
division of a usually pinnately divided leaf
-
pinnate
(of a leaf shape) featherlike; having leaflets on each side of a common axis
-
pinnate leaf
a leaf resembling a feather; having the leaflets on each side of a common axis
-
pinnatifid
(of a leaf shape) cleft nearly to the midrib in broad divisions not separated into distinct leaflets
-
pinnule
division of a usually pinnately divided leaf
-
Pinus
type genus of the Pinaceae: large genus of true pines
-
Pinus pinea
medium-sized two-needled pine of southern Europe having a spreading crown; widely cultivated for its sweet seeds that resemble almonds
-
Pinus sylvestris
medium large two-needled pine of northern Europe and Asia having flaking red-brown bark
-
Pistacia
a dicotyledonous genus of trees of the family Anacardiaceae having drupaceous fruit
-
pistil
the female ovule-bearing part of a flower composed of ovary and style and stigma
-
pistillate
having gynoecia, or pistils, the ovule-bearing organ of a seed plant
-
Pisum
small genus of variable annual Eurasian vines: peas
-
Pisum sativum
plant producing peas usually eaten fresh rather than dried
-
pith
soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
-
placenta
the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus
-
placentation
the formation of the placenta in the uterus
-
plant
(botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion
-
plant life
(botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion
-
Plantago
type genus of the family Plantaginaceae; large cosmopolitan genus of mostly small herbs
-
Plantago lanceolata
an Old World plantain with long narrow ribbed leaves widely established in temperate regions
-
Plantago major
common European perennial naturalized worldwide; a troublesome weed
-
Plantago media
widely distributed Old World perennial naturalized in North America having finely hairy leaves and inconspicuous white fragrant flowers
-
plantain
a banana tree bearing hanging clusters of edible angular greenish starchy fruits; tropics and subtropics
-
plasticity
the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking
-
Platanus
genus of large monoecious mostly deciduous trees: London plane; sycamore
-
plectranthus
any of various ornamental plants of the genus Plectranthus
-
plethora
extreme excess
-
plica
a folded part (as in skin or muscle)
-
plumbago
used as a lubricant and as a moderator in nuclear reactors
-
plumule
down feather of young birds; persists in some adult birds
-
pod
the vessel that contains the seeds of a plant (not the seeds themselves)
-
Podalyria
genus of South African leguminous shrubs often placed in genus Sophora
-
Podocarpus
evergreen trees or shrubs; sometimes classified as member of the family Taxaceae
-
Podophyllum
perennial rhizomatous herbs
-
Podophyllum peltatum
North American herb with poisonous root stock and edible though insipid fruit
-
pogonia
any hardy bog orchid of the genus Pogonia: terrestrial orchids having slender rootstocks and erect stems bearing one or a few leaves and a solitary terminal flower
-
poinsettia
tropical American plant having poisonous milk and showy tapering usually scarlet petallike leaves surrounding small yellow flowers
-
polemonium
any plant of the genus Polemonium; most are low-growing often foul-smelling plants of temperate to Arctic regions
-
Polianthes
genus of perennial tuberous herbs having lily-like flowers; Mexico; sometimes placed in family Amaryllidaceae
-
Polianthes tuberosa
a tuberous Mexican herb having grasslike leaves and cultivated for its spikes of highly fragrant lily-like waxy white flowers
-
pollard
a tree with limbs cut back to promote a more bushy growth of foliage
-
pollen
the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant
-
polyanthus
florists' primroses; considered a complex hybrid derived from oxlip, cowslip, and common primrose
-
Polygala
type genus of the Polygalaceae: milkwort; senega; snakeroot
-
Polygala vulgaris
small European perennial with numerous branches having racemes of blue, pink or white flowers; formerly reputed to promote human lactation
-
Polygonatum
sometimes placed in subfamily Convallariaceae
-
Polygonum
diverse genus of herbs or woody subshrubs of north temperate regions
-
Polygonum orientale
annual with broadly ovate leaves and slender drooping spikes of crimson flowers; southeastern Asia and Australia; naturalized in North America
-
polymorphic
having or occurring in several distinct forms
-
polymorphism
(chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound
-
polymorphous
having or occurring in several distinct forms
-
Polypodium
a genus of ferns belonging to the family Polypodiaceae and having rounded naked sori
-
Pomaderris
a genus of Australasian shrubs and trees
-
pome
a fleshy fruit (apple or pear or related fruits) having seed chambers and an outer fleshy part
-
Populus alba
a poplar that is widely cultivated in the United States; has white bark and leaves with whitish undersurfaces
-
portulaca
a plant of the genus Portulaca having pink or red or purple or white ephemeral flowers
-
Portulaca grandiflora
widely cultivated in many varieties for its fleshy moss-like foliage and profusion of brightly colored flowers
-
posterior
located at or near or behind a part or near the end of a structure
-
Potamogeton
a large genus of aquatic herbs found in quiet waters in temperate regions; leaves usually float on the water
-
Potentilla
chiefly perennial northern hemisphere herbs and shrubs: cinquefoil
-
Poterium
a genus of thorny herbs or shrubs of the family Rosaceae
-
Poterium sanguisorba
European garden herb with purple-tinged flowers and leaves that are sometimes used for salads
-
prickle
a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
-
primordial
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
-
primula
any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads
-
Primula sinensis
cultivated Asiatic primrose
-
Primula veris
early spring flower common in British isles having fragrant yellow or sometimes purple flowers
-
Primula vulgaris
plant of western and southern Europe widely cultivated for its pale yellow flowers
-
prism
a polyhedron with two congruent and parallel faces (the bases) and whose lateral faces are parallelograms
-
protrude
extend out or project in space
-
proximal
situated nearest to point of attachment or origin
-
Prunella
small genus of perennial mostly Eurasian having terminal spikes of small purplish or white flowers
-
Prunella vulgaris
decumbent blue-flowered European perennial thought to possess healing properties; naturalized throughout North America
-
Prunus
a genus of shrubs and trees of the family Rosaceae that is widely distributed in temperate regions
-
Prunus domestica
any of various widely distributed plums grown in the cooler temperate areas
-
Prunus glandulosa
small Chinese shrub with smooth unfurrowed dark red fruit grown especially for its red or pink or white flowers
-
Pteris
large genus of terrestrial ferns of tropics and subtropics; sometimes placed in family Polypodiaceae
-
Pulsatilla
includes a group of plants that in some classifications are included in the genus Anemone: pasqueflowers
-
Pulsatilla patens
short hairy perennial with early spring blue-violet or lilac flowers; North America and Siberia
-
Punica
coextensive with the family Punicaceae
-
pyramidal
resembling a pyramid
-
Pyrethrum
used in former classifications for plants later placed in genus Chrysanthemum and now often included in genus Tanacetum
-
Pyrus
fruit trees native to the Old World: pears
-
Pyrus communis
Old World tree having sweet gritty-textured juicy fruit; widely cultivated in many varieties
-
quaternary
consisting of or especially arranged in sets of four
-
quince
small Asian tree with pinkish flowers and pear-shaped fruit; widely cultivated
-
raceme
usually elongate cluster of flowers along the main stem in which the flowers at the base open first
-
racemose
having stalked flowers along an elongated stem that continue to open in succession from below as the stem continues to grow
-
rachis
axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence
-
radiate
send out rays or waves
-
radicle
(anatomy) a small structure resembling a rootlet (such as a fibril of a nerve)
-
radish
a cruciferous plant of the genus Raphanus having a pungent edible root
-
ramus
the posterior part of the mandible that is more or less vertical
-
Ranunculus
annual, biennial or perennial herbs: buttercup; crowfoot
-
Ranunculus acris
perennial European buttercup with yellow spring flowers widely naturalized especially in eastern North America
-
Ranunculus aquatilis
plant of ponds and slow streams having submerged and floating leaves and white flowers; Europe and North America
-
Ranunculus bulbosus
perennial Old World buttercup with golden to sulphur yellow flowers in late spring to early summer; naturalized in North America
-
Ranunculus repens
perennial European herb with long creeping stolons
-
Raphanus
radish
-
Raphanus sativus
Eurasian plant widely cultivated for its edible pungent root usually eaten raw
-
raphe
a ridge that forms a seam between two parts
-
red-streaked
having red stripes
-
reflexion
the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface
-
reniform
(of a leaf or bean shape) resembling the shape of kidney
-
reseda
any plant of the genus Reseda
-
Reseda luteola
European mignonette cultivated as a source of yellow dye; naturalized in North America
-
Reseda odorata
Mediterranean woody annual widely cultivated for its dense terminal spikelike clusters greenish or yellowish white flowers having an intense spicy fragrance
-
resorption
the organic process in which the substance of some differentiated structure that has been produced by the body undergoes lysis and assimilation
-
restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
-
reticulate
resembling or forming a network
-
retrograde
moving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction
-
reversion
returning to a former state
-
Rhamnus
type genus of the Rhamnaceae: buckthorns
-
rhizome
a horizontal plant stem with shoots above and roots below serving as a reproductive structure
-
rhododendron
any shrub of the genus Rhododendron: evergreen shrubs or small shrubby trees having leathery leaves and showy clusters of campanulate (bell-shaped) flowers
-
Rhus
deciduous or evergreen shrubs and shrubby trees of temperate and subtropical North America, South Africa, eastern Asia and northeastern Australia; usually limited to nonpoisonous sumacs (see genus Toxicodendron)
-
Ribes
a flowering shrub bearing currants or gooseberries; native to northern hemisphere
-
Ribes nigrum
widely cultivated current bearing edible black aromatic berries
-
Ribes sanguineum
a flowering shrub
-
Ricinus
a genus of herb having only one known species: castor-oil plant
-
Ricinus communis
large shrub of tropical Africa and Asia having large palmate leaves and spiny capsules containing seeds that are the source of castor oil and ricin; widely naturalized throughout the tropics
-
Robert Brown
Scottish botanist who first observed the movement of small particles in fluids now known a Brownian motion (1773-1858)
-
Robinia
deciduous flowering trees and shrubs
-
root crop
crop grown for its enlarged roots: e.g. beets; potatoes; turnips
-
rosacea
a skin disease of adults (more often women) in which blood vessels of the face enlarge resulting in a flushed appearance
-
rosaceous
of or pertaining to or characteristic of plants of the family Rosaceae
-
roseate
of something having a dusty purplish pink color
-
rosette
an ornament or pattern resembling a rose that is worn as a badge of office or as recognition of having won an honor
-
Rubia
type genus of the Rubiaceae; Old World herbs and subshrubs grown for their medicinal properties and for dye substances extracted from their roots
-
Rubia tinctorum
Eurasian herb having small yellow flowers and red roots formerly an important source of the dye alizarin
-
rubricate
furnish with rubrics or regulate by rubrics
-
Rubus
large genus of brambles bearing berries
-
Rubus fruticosus
the true blackberry of Europe as well as any of numerous varieties having sweet edible black or dark purple berries
-
Rudbeckia
North American perennial herbs with showy cone-shaped flower heads
-
rudiment
the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
-
rudimentary
being in the earliest stages of development
-
Rumex
docks: coarse herbs and shrubs mainly native to north temperate regions
-
Rumex scutatus
low perennial with small silvery-green ovate to hastate leaves
-
Ruscus
a genus of European evergreen shrubs; sometimes placed in family Asparagaceae
-
Ruscus aculeatus
shrub with stiff flattened stems resembling leaves (cladophylls); used for making brooms
-
Ruta
type genus of the Rutaceae; strong-scented Eurasian herbs
-
sac
an enclosed space
-
Sagina
small low-growing annual or perennial herbs of temperate and cool regions
-
Sagittaria
genus of aquatic herbs of temperate and tropical regions having sagittate or hastate leaves and white scapose flowers
-
Salix
a large and widespread genus varying in size from small shrubs to large trees: willows
-
Salix alba
large willow tree of Eurasia and North Africa having greyish canescent leaves and grey bark
-
Salix babylonica
willow with long drooping branches and slender leaves native to China; widely cultivated as an ornamental
-
Salix cinerea
Eurasian shrubby willow with whitish tomentose twigs
-
Salix fragilis
large willow tree with stiff branches that are easily broken
-
Salix nigra
North American shrubby willow having dark bark and linear leaves growing close to streams and lakes
-
Salix repens
small trailing bush of Europe and Asia having straggling branches with silky green leaves of which several varieties are cultivated
-
Salix vitellina
European willow having greyish leaves and yellow-orange twigs used in basketry
-
salpiglossis
any plant of the genus Salpiglossis
-
Salsola
chiefly Old World herbs or shrubs: saltworts
-
salvia
any of various plants of the genus Salvia; a cosmopolitan herb
-
Salvia officinalis
shrubby plant with aromatic greyish-green leaves used as a cooking herb
-
Salvia pratensis
tall perennial Old World salvia with violet-blue flowers; found in open grasslands
-
Sambucus
elder; elderberry
-
Sambucus nigra
a common shrub with black fruit or a small tree of Europe and Asia; fruit used for wines and jellies
-
Sanguinaria
one species: bloodroot
-
Sanguinaria canadensis
perennial woodland native of North America having a red root and red sap and bearing a solitary lobed leaf and white flower in early spring and having acrid emetic properties; rootstock used as a stimulant and expectorant
-
Saponaria
mostly perennial Old World herbs
-
Saponaria officinalis
plant of European origin having pink or white flowers and leaves yielding a detergent when bruised
-
Sarracenia
pitcher plants
-
sassafras
yellowwood tree with brittle wood and aromatic leaves and bark; source of sassafras oil; widely distributed in eastern North America
-
savant
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
savoy
head of soft crinkly leaves
-
Saxifraga
type genus of the Saxifragaceae; large genus of usually perennial herbs of Arctic and cool regions of northern hemisphere: saxifrage
-
Saxifraga granulata
rosette-forming perennial having compact panicles of white flowers; Europe
-
scabiosa
any of various plants of the genus Scabiosa
-
Scabiosa arvensis
perennial having bluish-lilac flowers; introduced in the eastern United States
-
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Old World annual having fragrant purple to deep crimson flower heads; naturalized in United States
-
scabious
any of various plants of the genus Scabiosa
-
scape
erect leafless flower stalk growing directly from the ground as in a tulip
-
scarify
puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals
-
Sciadopitys
type and sole genus of Sciadopityaceae; Japanese umbrella pines
-
Sciadopitys verticillata
tall evergreen having a symmetrical spreading crown and needles growing in whorls that resemble umbrellas at ends of twigs
-
scilla
an Old World plant of the genus Scilla having narrow basal leaves and pink or blue or white racemose flowers
-
Scirpus
rhizomatous perennial grasslike herbs
-
scolopendrium
a fern thought to resemble a millipede
-
scorzonera
perennial south European herb having narrow entire leaves and solitary yellow flower heads and long black edible roots shaped like carrots
-
Scrophularia
type genus of Scrophulariaceae; named for the plants' supposed ability to cure scrofula: figworts
-
sea kale
perennial of coastal sands and shingles of northern Europe and Baltic and Black Seas having racemes of small white flowers and large fleshy blue-green leaves often used as potherbs
-
Secale
cereal grass widely cultivated for its grain: rye
-
Secale cereale
hardy annual cereal grass widely cultivated in northern Europe where its grain is the chief ingredient of black bread and in North America for forage and soil improvement
-
secrete
generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
-
sedum
any of various plants of the genus Sedum
-
seed vessel
the ripened and variously modified walls of a plant ovary
-
seedling
young plant or tree grown from a seed
-
Selenipedium
genus of tall reedlike tropical American orchids; includes species with pods used locally as a substitute for vanilla
-
semilunar
resembling the new moon in shape
-
Senecio
enormous and diverse cosmopolitan genus of trees and shrubs and vines and herbs including many weeds
-
Senecio vulgaris
Eurasian weed with heads of small yellow flowers
-
sepal
one of the green parts that form the calyx of a flower
-
septum
(anatomy) a dividing partition between two tissues or cavities
-
Sesamum
tropical African and Indian herbs
-
Sesamum indicum
East Indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil
-
Seseli
a rosid dicot genus that includes moon carrots
-
sessile
attached directly by the base; not having an intervening stalk
-
sexual characteristic
those characteristics (both anatomical and psychological) that are strongly associated with one sex relative to the other
-
shamrock
clover native to Ireland with yellowish flowers; often considered the true or original shamrock
-
Sideritis
genus of woolly aromatic herbs or subshrubs or shrubs of Mediterranean region
-
sigmoid
curved in two directions (like the letter S)
-
silene
any plant of the genus Silene
-
silicle
short broad silique occurring in some cruciferous plants
-
siliqua
narrow elongated seed capsule peculiar to the family Cruciferae
-
silique
narrow elongated seed capsule peculiar to the family Cruciferae
-
simplex
having only one part or element
-
Sinapis
small genus of Old World herbs usually included in genus Brassica
-
Sinapis arvensis
weedy Eurasian plant often a pest in grain fields
-
singularity
the quality of being one of a kind
-
Sinningia
genus of perennial tuberous herbs and shrubs of Central and South America
-
Sisymbrium officinale
stiffly branching Old World annual with pale yellow flowers; widely naturalized in North America; formerly used medicinally
-
Solanum tuberosum
annual native to South America having underground stolons bearing edible starchy tubers; widely cultivated as a garden vegetable; vines are poisonous
-
Sophora
cosmopolitan genus of trees and shrubs having odd-pinnate leaves and showy flowers; some species placed in genus Podalyria
-
sorus
cluster of sporangia usually on underside of a fern frond
-
spadix
the fleshy axis of a spike often surrounded by a spathe
-
Spartium
one species: Spanish broom
-
Spartium junceum
tall thornless shrub having pale yellow flowers and flexible rushlike twigs used in basketry; of southwestern Europe and Mediterranean; naturalized in California
-
spathe
a conspicuous bract surrounding or subtending a spadix or other inflorescence
-
spathiphyllum
any of various plants of the genus Spathiphyllum having a white or green spathe and a spike of fragrant flowers and often cultivated as an ornamental
-
specimen
a bit of tissue or blood or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
-
spicate
having or relating to spikes
-
spikelet
a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
-
Spinacia
spinach
-
Spinacia oleracea
southwestern Asian plant widely cultivated for its succulent edible dark green leaves
-
spine
the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
-
Spiranthes
large cosmopolitan genus of white-flowered terrestrial orchids
-
spore
a small usually single-celled asexual reproductive body produced by many nonflowering plants and fungi and some bacteria and protozoans and that are capable of developing into a new individual without sexual fusion
-
spore case
organ containing or producing spores
-
Stachys
large genus of usually woolly or hairy herbs or subshrubs or shrubs; temperate eastern hemisphere; tropical Australasia
-
Stachys sylvatica
foul-smelling perennial Eurasiatic herb with a green creeping rhizome
-
stamen
the male reproductive organ of a flower
-
stapelia
any of various plants of the genus Stapelia having succulent leafless toothed stems resembling cacti and large foul-smelling (often star-shaped) flowers
-
Staphylea
a genus of small trees or shrubs of the family Staphylaceae
-
stasis
inactivity resulting from a static balance between opposing forces
-
Stellaria
common chickweed; stitchwort
-
Stellaria media
a common low-growing annual garden weed with small white flowers; cosmopolitan; so-called because it is eaten by chickens
-
stellate
arranged like rays or radii; radiating from a common center
-
stemless
not having a stem
-
sterculia
any tree of the genus Sterculia
-
sterile
incapable of reproducing
-
stigma
a symbol of disgrace or infamy
-
stipule
a small leafy outgrowth at the base of a leaf or its stalk; usually occurring in pairs and soon shed
-
stoma
a mouth or mouthlike opening (especially one created by surgery on the surface of the body to create an opening to an internal organ)
-
stone fruit
fleshy indehiscent fruit with a single seed: e.g. almond; peach; plum; cherry; elderberry; olive; jujube
-
Strelitzia
small genus of large perennial evergreen herbs having leaves resembling those of banana plants; sometimes placed in family Musaceae
-
streptocarpus
any of various plants of the genus Streptocarpus having leaves in a basal rosette and flowers like primroses
-
stria
any of a number of tiny parallel grooves such as: the scratches left by a glacier on rocks or the streaks or ridges in muscle tissue
-
strobile
cone-shaped mass of ovule- or spore-bearing scales or bracts
-
strobilus
cone-shaped mass of ovule- or spore-bearing scales or bracts
-
strophanthus
any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus Strophanthus having whorled leaves and showy flowers of various colors in dense and corymbose clusters; some have poisonous seeds
-
subdirectory
(computer science) a directory that is listed in another directory
-
subdivision
the act of subdividing; division of something previously divided
-
subtend
be opposite to; of angles and sides, in geometry
-
succulent
full of juice
-
supernumerary
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
superposition
the placement of one thing on top of another
-
sursum corda
(Roman Catholic Church) a Latin versicle meaning `lift up your hearts'
-
suture
a seam used in surgery
-
sweet
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
-
sweet chestnut
wild or cultivated throughout southern Europe, northwestern Africa and southwestern Asia
-
symmetry
balance among the parts of something
-
Symphytum
comfrey
-
Symphytum officinale
European herb having small white, pink or purple flowers; naturalized as a weed in North America
-
syncarpous
(of ovaries of flowering plants) consisting of united carpels
-
Syringa
genus of Old World shrubs or low trees having fragrant flowers in showy panicles: lilacs
-
Syringa persica
small densely branching Asiatic shrub having lanceolate leaves and panicles of fragrant lilac flowers
-
Syringa vulgaris
large European lilac naturalized in North America having heart-shaped ovate leaves and large panicles of highly fragrant lilac or white flowers
-
systematist
an organizer who puts things in order
-
Tamus
a genus of tuberous vines of the family Dioscoreaceae; has twining stems and heart-shaped leaves and axillary racemes
-
Tamus communis
common European twining vine with tuberous roots and cordate leaves and red berries
-
Taraxacum
an asterid dicot genus of the family Compositae including dandelions
-
Taxodium
bald cypress; swamp cypress
-
Taxodium distichum
common cypress of southeastern United States having trunk expanded at base; found in coastal swamps and flooding river bottoms
-
Taxus
yews
-
Taxus baccata
predominant yew in Europe; extraordinarily long-lived and slow growing; one of the oldest species in the world
-
teazel
any of several herbs of the genus Dipsacus native to the Old World having flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts
-
tegument
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
-
tendril
slender stem-like structure by which some twining plants attach themselves to an object for support
-
tepal
an undifferentiated part of a perianth that cannot be distinguished as a sepal or a petal (as in lilies and tulips)
-
teratology
the branch of biology concerned with the development of malformations or serious deviations from the normal type of organism
-
terminate
bring to an end or halt
-
tertiary
coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position
-
testa
protective outer layer of seeds of flowering plants
-
testis
one of the two male reproductive glands that produce spermatozoa and secrete androgens
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Tetragonia
New Zealand spinach
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Tetragonia expansa
coarse sprawling Australasian plant with red or yellow flowers; cultivated for its edible young shoots and succulent leaves
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tetramerous
having or consisting of four similar parts; tetramerous flowers
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Teucrium
large widely distributed genus of perennial herbs or shrubs or subshrubs; native to Mediterranean region to western Asia
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thalamus
large egg-shaped structures of grey matter that form the dorsal subdivision of the diencephalon
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Thalictrum
widely distributed genus of perennial herbs: meadow rue
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thallus
a plant body without true stems or roots or leaves or vascular system; characteristic of the thallophytes
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Thlaspi
herbs of temperate regions: pennycress
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Thlaspi arvense
foetid Eurasian weed having round flat pods; naturalized throughout North America
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thrip
any of various small to minute sucking insects with narrow feathery wings if any; they feed on plant sap and many are destructive
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thrips
any of various small to minute sucking insects with narrow feathery wings if any; they feed on plant sap and many are destructive
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Thuja
red cedar
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Thuja occidentalis
small evergreen of eastern North America having tiny scalelike leaves on flattened branchlets
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Thuja orientalis
Asiatic shrub or small tree widely planted in United States and Europe; in some classifications assigned to its own genus
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Thymus
large genus of Old World mints: thyme
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Tilia
deciduous trees with smooth usually silver-grey bark of North America and Europe and Asia: lime trees; lindens; basswood
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tithonia
any plant of the genus Tithonia; tall coarse herbs or shrubs of Mexico to Panama having large flower heads resembling sunflowers with yellow disc florets and golden-yellow to orange-scarlet rays
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Tofieldia
genus of perennial herbs of cool temperate regions; sometimes placed in family Melanthiaceae
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torsion
a tortuous and twisted shape or position
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torus
a ring-shaped surface generated by rotating a circle around an axis that does not intersect the circle
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Toxicodendron
in some classifications: comprising those members of the genus Rhus having foliage that is poisonous to the touch; of North America and northern South America
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Toxicodendron quercifolium
poisonous shrub of southeastern United States causing a rash on contact
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Tradescant
English botanist who was one of the first to collect specimens of plants (1570-1638)
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Tradescantia
spiderworts
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Tragopogon
genus of Old World herbs with linear entire leaves and yellow or purple flower heads
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transmutation
an act that changes the form or character or substance of something
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Trapa
small genus of Eurasian aquatic perennial herbs: water chestnut
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Trapa natans
a variety of water chestnut
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trefoil
a plant of the genus Trifolium
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Trichomanes
bristle ferns; kidney ferns
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trifoliate
(of a leaf shape) having three leaflets
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Trifolium
any leguminous plant having leaves divided into three leaflets
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Trifolium repens
creeping European clover having white to pink flowers and bright green leaves; naturalized in United States; widely grown for forage
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trillium
any liliaceous plant of the genus Trillium having a whorl of three leaves at the top of the stem with a single three-petaled flower
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Triticum
annual cereal grasses from Mediterranean area; widely cultivated in temperate regions
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Trollius
perennial herbs of north temperate regions: globeflowers
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tuber
a fleshy underground stem or root serving for reproductive and food storage
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tubercle
small rounded wartlike protuberance on a plant
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tubular
constituting a tube; having hollow tubes (as for the passage of fluids)
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tulip
any of numerous perennial bulbous herbs having linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and usually a single showy flower
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Tulipa
Eurasian perennial bulbous herbs
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tumid
of sexual organs; stiff and rigid
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turbinate
in the shape of a coil
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Turritis
closely related to and often included in genus Arabis
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Turritis glabra
or genus Arabis: erect cress widely distributed throughout Europe
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Typha
reed maces; cattails
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Ulex
genus of Eurasian spiny shrubs: gorse
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Ulmus
type genus of family Ulmaceae; deciduous trees having simple serrate leaves; widely distributed in temperate regions
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Ulmus americana
large ornamental tree with graceful gradually spreading branches common in eastern North America
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umbel
flat-topped or rounded inflorescence characteristic of the family Umbelliferae in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point; youngest flowers are at the center
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umbellifer
any of numerous aromatic herbs of the family Umbelliferae
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umbelliferous
relating to or belonging to plants of the family Umbelliferae
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unisexual
relating to only one sex or having only one type of sexual organ; not hermaphroditic
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Urtica
a nettle yielding fiber resembling flax
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Urtica dioica
perennial Eurasian nettle established in North America having broad coarsely toothed leaves with copious stinging hairs
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uterus
a hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity of females; contains the developing fetus
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utricle
a small pouch into which the semicircular canals open
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Vaccinium
evergreen or deciduous berry-bearing shrubs of northern hemisphere: cranberries; blueberries
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vagina
the lower part of the female reproductive tract; a moist canal in female mammals extending from the labia minora to the uterus
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Valeriana
genus of widely distributed perennial herbs and some shrubs
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Valeriana officinalis
tall rhizomatous plant having very fragrant flowers and rhizomes used medicinally
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Vallisneria
eelgrass; eel grass
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variable
something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation
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variegated
having a variety of colors
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vascular
of or relating to or having vessels that conduct and circulate fluids
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vascular bundle
a unit strand of the vascular system in stems and leaves of higher plants consisting essentially of xylem and phloem
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vascular system
the vessels and tissue that carry or circulate fluids such as blood or lymph or sap through the body of an animal or plant
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vascular tissue
tissue that conducts water and nutrients through the plant body in higher plants
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veg
edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant
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vegetable marrow
any of various squash plants grown for their elongated fruit with smooth dark green skin and whitish flesh
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vegetative
composed of vegetation or plants
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venation
(botany) the arrangement of veins in a leaf
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ventral
toward or on or near the belly (front of a primate or lower surface of a lower animal)
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Verbascum
genus of coarse herbs and subshrubs mostly with woolly leaves
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verbena
any of numerous tropical or subtropical American plants of the genus Verbena grown for their showy spikes of variously colored flowers
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vernation
(botany) the arrangement of young leaves in a leaf bud before it opens
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vervain
any of numerous tropical or subtropical American plants of the genus Verbena grown for their showy spikes of variously colored flowers
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vesicle
a small anatomically normal sac or bladderlike structure (especially one containing fluid)
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Vespertilio
a genus of Vespertilionidae
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Viburnum
deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees: arrow-wood; wayfaring tree
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Vicia
widely distributed genus of annual or perennial and often climbing herbs
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Vinca
periwinkles: low creeping evergreen perennials
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Vinca minor
widely cultivated as a groundcover for its dark green shiny leaves and usually blue-violet flowers
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Vinca rosea
commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowers
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Vinca rosea
commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowers
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vinifera
common European grape cultivated in many varieties; chief source of Old World wine and table grapes
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Viola odorata
European violet typically having purple to white flowers; widely naturalized
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Viola tricolor
a common and long cultivated European herb from which most common garden pansies are derived
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Viscum
type genus of the Viscaceae: Old World evergreen shrubs parasitic on many trees including oaks but especially apple trees, poplars, aspens and cottonwoods
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Viscum album
Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries; the traditional mistletoe of Christmas
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Vitis
the type genus of the family Vitaceae; woody vines with simple leaves and small flowers; includes a wide variety of grapes
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Vitis vinifera
common European grape cultivated in many varieties; chief source of Old World wine and table grapes
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viviparous
producing living young (not eggs)
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wallflower
any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant yellow or orange or brownish flowers
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wart
any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)
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water plant
a plant that grows partly or wholly in water whether rooted in the mud, as a lotus, or floating without anchorage, as the water hyacinth
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web page
a document connected to the World Wide Web and viewable by anyone connected to the internet who has a web browser
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weigela
deciduous shrub widely cultivated for its white or pink or red flowers
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welwitschia
curious plant of arid regions of southwestern Africa having a yard-high and yard-wide trunk like a turnip with a deep taproot and two large persistent woody straplike leaves growing from the base; living relic of a flora long disappeared; some may be 700-5000 years old
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white clover
creeping European clover having white to pink flowers and bright green leaves; naturalized in United States; widely grown for forage
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white lily
lily of eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans with broad funnel-shaped white flowers
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wholesomeness
the quality of being beneficial and generally good for you
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whorl
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
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wild celery
herb of Europe and temperate Asia
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wistaria
any flowering vine of the genus Wisteria
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witch broom
an abnormal tufted growth of small branches on a tree or shrub caused by fungi or insects or other physiological disturbance
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witches' broom
an abnormal tufted growth of small branches on a tree or shrub caused by fungi or insects or other physiological disturbance
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woody plant
a plant having hard lignified tissues or woody parts especially stems
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word processing
rapid and efficient processing (storage and printing) of linguistic data for composition and editing
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Xanthosoma
tropical American tuberous perennials
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yellow
yellow color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of sunflowers or ripe lemons
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yellow jasmine
poisonous woody evergreen vine of southeastern United States having fragrant yellow funnel-shaped flowers
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yucca
any of several evergreen plants of the genus Yucca having usually tall stout stems and a terminal cluster of white flowers; warmer regions of North America
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zamia
any of various cycads of the genus Zamia; among the smallest and most verdant cycads
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Zingiber
tropical Asiatic and Polynesian perennial plants: ginger
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zinnia
any of various plants of the genus Zinnia cultivated for their variously and brightly colored flower heads