| Glossary
of terms |
Alternate:-The
leaves are placed singly along the stem but not opposite each other. 
|
Anther:-The
part of the stamen that produces pollen. |
Appressed:-Lying
flat against. |
Axil:-The
angle formed by the upper side of a leaf and the stem.
|
| Berry:-A
fleshy fruit (remaining closed when mature) with the seed or seeds surrounded
by pulp. |
Boss:-A
raised part on a flat surface - a knob or a stud. |
Calyx:-The
outer, non-reproductive parts of a flower, composed of free or joined
sepals. |
Capsule:-A
dry fruit, opening naturally when mature, formed from an ovary with
joined carpels. |
Catkin:-A
spike-like, hanging group of single sex flowers (either male or female)
without petals.
|
Compound
Leaf:- When the blade of a leaf is divided into
two or more separate leaflets, each with its own stalk, the leaf is
said to be compound. The leaflets themselves are not leaves and this
is shown by the absence of buds in their axils. The whole leaf can be
pulled off as one, leaving a well-defined scar on the stem.
|
Cone:-The
reproductive structure of Coniferous trees (which have bare seeds ie.
not enclosed in an ovary).
|
Coniferous:-A
plant bearing cones. |
Coppice:-Trees
or shrubs which are cut to ground level every few years and then regrow
from the stumps into a clump of stems. |
Deciduous:-Trees
and shrubs that lose their leaves in autumn. |
| |
Dioecious:-Where
there are only male OR female flowers on the same plant. Compare this
with Monoecious. |
Ebony:-A
tropical hardwood species of tree, often used for carving, with black
heart wood and light brown outer wood. |
Entomologist:-A
person who studies insects. |
Evergreen:-Trees
and shrubs which keep most of their leaves throughout the year.
|
| Fertile:-Able
to reproduce sexually. |
Fissure:-A
cleft or crack. |
Gall:-An
abnormal growth of tissue formed in response by the tree to an attack
by certain insects, fungi, bacteria etc |
Gall-mite:-A
small arachnid (a small animal with 8, jointed limbs) found in a gall. |
Gland:-An
organ producing a secretion. |
Groyne:-A
projecting (often wooden) structure to stop sand shifting along a beach.
|
Hybrid:-A
plant resulting from a cross between two or more plants, genetically
unlike e.g. a cross between two species in the same genus (or even in
different genera) eg Wild Plum |
Inflorescence:-The
arrangement of flowers on the floral stem; a flower cluster. |
Larva:-An
insect in the stage between egg and pupa. |
Leaflet:-The
leaf-like part of a compound leaf.
|
Lenticel:-A
pore in the stem that allows gases to pass between the outside atmosphere
and the interior of the plant
|
Linear:-A
leaf which is more than twice as long as it is broad and is over 5mm
across (e.g. the leaves of Grey Willow )
|
Loam:-A
rich soil of clay, sand and organic matter. |
Lobed:-Leaves
which are divided into segments with spaces between which do not reach
the centre. (There is no hard and fast distinction between lobes and
large teeth. See the page of lobed leaves )
|
Midrib:-The
middle and principle vein of a leaf.
|
Monoecious:-Where
there are both male and female flowers on the same plant. Compare with
Dioecious. |
Mucro:-A
short straight point e.g.Yew.
|
Naturalised:-A
plant which is thoroughly established after introduction from another
region |
Needle:-A
leaf which is at least 7 times as long as it is broad and less than
4mm across. e.g.Austrian Pine |
Opposite:-Leaves
which are placed along a stem in pairs, one on each side.
|
Palmate:-A
leaf which is arranged like the fingers of a hand i.e. arising from
approximately the same point and spreading outwards.e.g. the leaves
of Horse-chestnut.
|
Pinnate:-A
leaf with separate leaflets along each side of a common stalk.
(The leaflets may be alternate
or opposite.) |
| Pollard:-To
cut a tree 2.5-4m above the ground to produce a close rounded head of
young branches. |
Pubescent:-Covered
with a soft down. |
Roundish:-A
leaf which is less than twice as long as it is broad. |
Scale:-A
small leaf, usually paper-like, and often found covering buds, bulbs
and corms. |
Simple
leaf:-A leaf of one piece
|
Spiny
leaf:-A leaf which is a sharp woody or hardened
spike e.g. Gorse.
|
Stamen:-One
of the male sex organs on a flower, usually consisting of anther and
filament.
|
Sterile:-Unable
to reproduce sexually. |
Stigma:-The
tip of the style, usually enlarged, on which the pollen grains land
and germinate.
|
Stipule:-A
leafy outgrowth, often one of a pair, situated at the base of the leaf
stalk. |
Striae:-Fine,
longitudinal lines, grooves or ridges for example on or under bark.
|
| Style:-The
often long, top part of the female sex organs that has the stigma at its
tip.
|
| Sucker:-A
shoot which grows from underground. |
| Tannin:-An
acidic substance, soluble in water, with a bitter taste, that is present
in a number of plants, especially in the bark of Quercus (Oak). |
| Trifoliate:-A
compound leaf with three leaflets
eg Laburnum.
|
| Topiary:-The
art of clipping shrubs etc. into ornamental shapes e.g. Box and Yew.
|
| Tubular:-Cylindrical
and hollow. |
| Vascular
bundle:-One of the strands of tissue that carry water
and nutrients within the plant, consisting of xylem on the inside and
phloem on the outside, separated by a layer of cambium.
|
Vein:-A
strand of vascular tissue in a leaf or other flat organ.
|
