The following glossary contains botanical terms that occur in the Key to
the Gymnosperms of the Southeastern U.S. <http://www.ibiblio.org/pic/GymnospKey/>
along with certain other basic terms that the reader may find helpful for understanding
the definitions. A number of the definitions given here apply specifically to
the features of the taxa in the key, and are thus more narrow than the range
of meanings used more broadly in botanical literature.
The principal source used
for each definition is listed in brackets at the end of the entry. Definitions
with no source listed were written by the editor.
A B C D E F G I K L M N O P R S T U V W
Acute Tapering to a pointed apex with more or less straight sides, the sides coming together at an angle of less than 90º. (Compare with obtuse.) [modified from H&H, p. 153]
Alternate Positioned singly at different heights on the stem; one leaf occurring at each node. (Compare with opposite and whorled.) [modified from L, p. 738]
Angiosperm Plants that bear their seeds enclosed in an ovary; the flowering plants. (Compare with gymnosperm.)
Anther The pollen-producing portion of the stamen, typically borne at the tip of a stalk or filament. [modified from Z, p. 358]
Apex The portion of a plant structure (such as a leaf, bud, stem, etc.) farthest from its point of attachment or uppermost; the tip. (Compare with base.) [modified from H&H, p. 10]
Appressed Pressed upwardly, close or flat against the bearing structure, thus more or less parallel to it. (Compare with ascending, reflexed and spreading.) [modified from K&P, p. 16]
Armature Any kind of sharp defense such as thorns, spines, or prickles. [modified from L, p. 739]
Armed Bearing a hook, prickle or other sharply pointed structure on the end of the cone scale. (Compare with unarmed.)
Ascending Spreading at the base and then curving upward to an angle of 45º or less relative to the bearing structure. (Compare with appressed, reflexed and spreading.) [modified from K&P, p. 18]
Asymmetric Not divisible into essentially equal halves along any plane. (Compare with nearly symmetric and symmetric.) [modified from K&P, p. 18]
Awl-shaped Narrowly triangular and sharply pointed, like an awl. (Compare with linear.) [modified from H&H, p. 150]
Axis Any relatively long, continuous, supporting structure that typically bears other organs laterally, and represents the main line of growth and/or symmetry; as a stem that bears leaves or branches. [modified from K&P, p. 19 & H&H, p. 13]
Bark The outermost layer of a woody stem, usually with one or more corky layers that prevent water loss and protect the inner living tissues from mechanical damage. [modified from W&K, p. 587]
Bark plate A more or less flat section of bark, often separated by furrows or grooves, as in bark of mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).
Base The portion of a plant structure (such as a leaf, bud, stem, etc.) nearest the point of attachment or lowermost; the bottom. (Compare with apex.)
Bisexual Having functional reproductive structures of both sexes (i.e. male and female) in the same flower or cone. (Compare with unisexual.) [modified from K&P, p. 21]
Blade The flat, expanded portion of a leaf, petal, sepal, etc. [modified from RDMB, p. 93]
Bract A modified, usually reduced leaf, often occurring at the base of a flower or cone; in some conifers, such as firs (Abies), bracts are interspersed between the cone scales. [modified from H&H, p. 18]
Branchlet An ultimate branch, i.e. one located at the end of a system of branches; a small branch. (Compare with twig.) [modified from K&P, p. 22]
Broad-leaved With leaves that are not needle-like or scale-like, but having relatively broad, flat surfaces, as in most deciduous trees such as maples (Acer) and hickories (Carya). (Compare with needle-like and scale-like.)
Bud An immature shoot, either vegetative, floral (or cone producing), or both, and often covered by protective scales. [modified from RDMB, p. 88]
Bush A short shrub that branches from ground level. (Compare with shrub.) [modified from K&P, p. 23]
Calyx The collective term for all of the sepals of a flower; the outer perianth whorl. (Compare with corolla.) [modified from H&H, p. 20]
Clustered Leaves grouped closely together at the point of attachment and tending to diverge from one another, as the leaves on short shoots in gingko (Gingko biloba) or the needles on short shoots in larches (Larix). (Compare with fascicled and solitary.) [modified from K&P, p. 29]
Compound Divided into two or more equivalent parts, as a leaf that consists of multiple, distinct leaflets; not simple. (Compare with simple.) [modified from K&P, p. 31]
Cone The reproductive structure in conifers comprised of scales and/or other types of modified leaves densely arranged on a central stalk; female, or seed cones, bear ovules on the surface of their scales; male cones produce pollen. (Compare with flower.)
Cone scale The structure in seed cones, derived from a modified leaf, that bears an ovule on its surface. Cone scales are typically flattened, dry and woody, as the scales of pine (Pinus) cones. However, they may be soft and fleshy, as in junipers (Juniperus), or leathery as in eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis).
Conifer Cone-bearing plants, such as pines (Pinus).
Corolla The collective term for all of the petals of a flower; the inner perianth whorl. (Compare with calyx.) [modified from H&H, p. 31]
Crown The uppermost portion of a tree.
Deciduous Falling at the end of one growing season, as the leaves of non-evergreen trees; not evergreen. (Compare with evergreen.) [modified from L, p. 748]
Decurrent With the leaf base extending downward along the stem. [modified from RDMB, p. 134]
Dentate Toothed along the margin, with pointed teeth that are directed outward rather than forward. (Compare with entire and serrate.) [modified from H&H, p. 157]
Dioecious Having functionally unisexual (i.e. separate male and female) flowers or cones, which are borne on different plants within the species; thus some plants are male and others are female. (Compare with monoecious and synoecious.) [modified from K&P p. 39]
Entire With relatively smooth margins that lack teeth, spines or other projections (the margins may be lobed); with a continuous margin. [modified from H&H, p. 157]
Evergreen Bearing green leaves through the winter and into the next growing season; persisting two or more growing seasons; not deciduous. (Compare with deciduous.) [modified from RDMB, pp. 146 & 154]
Fan-shaped Shaped like a fan, as a gingko (Gingko biloba) leaf.
Fascicled In a tight bundle, several leaves appearing to arise from a common point and diverging little if at all, as the needles of many pines (Pinus). (Compare with clustered and solitary). [modified from RDMB, p. 119]
Filament The stalk of a stamen, which supports an anther at its tip. [modified from K&P, p. 46]
Fleshy Fairly firm and dense, juicy or at least moist, and easily cut. (Compare with leathery and woody.) [modified from K&P, p. 47]
Floral upon, within, or associated with the flowers. [K&P, p. 48]
Flower The reproductive structure in flowering plants (angiosperms), consisting of stamens and/or pistils, and usually including a perianth of sepals and/or petals. (Compare with cone.) [modified from H&H, p. 48]
Four-sided More or less diamond-shaped in cross section.
Glabrous Lacking plant hairs (trichomes). (Compare with pubescent.) [modified from W&K, p. 39]
Gland A distinct structure that produces and secretes a substance such as oil or nectar, or resembles those that do. [modified from K&P, p. 52]
Glaucous Covered with a whitish or bluish waxy coating (bloom) that can sometimes be rubbed off. [modified from W&K, p. 594]
Globose Circular in cross section and in outline when viewed from any angle; like a globe or sphere. [modified from K&P, p. 52]
Gymnosperm A seed plant that produces seeds which are not enclosed inside an ovary, as the conifers. (Compare with angiosperm.) [modified from REE, p. 898]
Internode The portion of a stem between two nodes, i.e. the part where leaves and/or branches do not arise. (Compare with node.) [H&H, p. 60]
Involute With margins rolled inward, toward the upper side. (Compare with plane and revolute.) [modified from H&H, p. 157]
Keel A longitudinal ridge, more or less triangular in cross section, like the keel of a boat. [modified from K&P, p. 61]
Leaf A lateral outgrowth of a stem, usually green and photosynthetic, and often consisting of a stalk (petiole) and an expanded portion (blade); leaves may also be needle-like or scale-like in form. (Compare with leaflet.) [modified from H&K, p. 24]
Leaflet One of the separate, leaf-like segments of a compound leaf. [modified from K&P, p. 64]
Leathery Moderately thick, tough and pliable. (Compare with fleshy and woody.) [modified from K&P, p. 64]
Linear Long and narrow, with the sides more or less straight and parallel. (Compare with awl-shaped.) [modified from K&P, p. 66]
Lobe A more or less major protrusion or segment of a leaf or leaflet delimited by concavities (sinuses) in the leaf margin. [modified from K&P, p. 66]
Long shoot A typically formed stem or branch, without compressed internodes. (Compare with short shoot.)
Margin The edge, as in the edge of a leaf blade. [H&H, p. 67]
Midrib A main or primary vein running lengthwise down the center of a leaf or leaf-like structure; a continuation of the leaf stalk (petiole); the midvein. [modified from W&K, p. 598, & K&P, p. 70]
Monoecious Having functionally unisexual (i.e. separate male and female) flowers or cones, which are borne on the same plant; each plant thus possessing both male and female reproductive structures. (Compare with dioecious and synoecious.) [modified from K&P, p. 70]
Nearly sessile With a very short, somewhat indistinct stalk. (Compare with sessile and stalked.) [modified from K&P, p. 106]
Nearly symmetric Not fully symmetric, but divisible into nearly equal halves along one or more planes. (Compare with asymmetric and symmetric.)
Needle A leaf that is long and thin (more or less needle-shaped) and usually evergreen; it may be flattened as in hemlocks (Tsuga) or more rounded as in pines (Pinus).
Needle-like With leaves that are more or less needle-shaped, and usually evergreen; they may be flattened as in hemlocks (Tsuga) or more rounded as in pines (Pinus). (Compare with broad-leaved and scale-like.)
Node The portion of a stem where leaves and/or branches arise; often recognizable by the presence of one or more buds. (Compare with internode.) [modified from H&H, p. 73]
Obtuse More or less blunt at the apex, with the sides coming together at an angle of greater than 90º. (Compare with acute.) [modified from H&H, p. 153]
Opposite Positioned in pairs along the stem, the members of each pair at the same level across from one another; two leaves occurring at each node. (Compare with alternate and whorled.) [modified from K&P, p. 75]
Oval Elliptic in cross section.
Ovary The lower portion of a pistil where ovules are borne; often distinguishable from the rest of the pistil by its larger circumference. [modified from K&P, p. 75]
Ovoid Rounded in cross section, broadest near a bluntly rounded base and convexly tapering to a narrower rounded tip; egg-shaped. [modified from K&P, p. 75]
Ovule The structure in flowering plants and gymnosperms which when fertilized develops into a seed. [modified from H&K, p. 29]
Palmate With three or more leaflets, lobes or other structures arising from a common point and diverging from one another; arranged or structured in a hand-like pattern. (Compare with pinnate.) [modified from K&P, p. 76 & RDMB, p. 139]
Perennial Normally living more than two years, with no definite limit to its life span. [K&P, p. 79]
Perianth The collective term for the outer sterile parts of a flower, comprising the calyx (sepals) and the corolla (petals) when both whorls are present. [modified from W&K, p. 600]
Petal A unit or segment of the inner floral envelope or corolla of a flower; often colored and more or less showy. (Compare with sepal.) [modified from L, p. 764]
Petiole The stalk of a leaf. [modified from W&K, p. 600]
Pinnate With several leaflets, lobes or other structures positioned along and on either side of a central axis; arranged or structured in a feather-like pattern. (Compare with palmate.) [modified from K&P, p. 81]
Pistil The female or ovule-bearing organ of a flower, typically composed of an ovary, style and stigma. [modified from Z, p. 379]
Plane With midrib and margin all in one plane, or nearly so; flat. (Compare with involute and revolute.) [modified from W&K, p. 39]
Plated Bark with relatively large, more or less flat plates, as in mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) or mature white oak (Quercus alba).
Pollen The small, often powdery, grains which contain the male reproductive cells of flowering plants and gymnosperms. [modified from H&K, p. 33]
Pollen cone A male or pollen-producing cone; typically smaller and of shorter duration than seed cones.
Prickle A small, sharp structure developed from outgrowth of the surface of bark or epidermis. (Compare with spine and thorn.) [modified from W&K, p. 39]
Pubescent Bearing plant hairs (trichomes). (Compare with glabrous.) [modified from W&K, p. 39]
Reflexed Bent backward or downward. (Compare with appressed, ascending and spreading.) [modified from H&H, p. 98]
Resin pocket A small indentation in the surface of the bark of some conifer species where resin or pitch accumulates; a pitch pocket.
Resinous Bearing resin and often, therefore, sticky. [H&H, p. 98]
Revolute With margins rolled backward, toward the underside. (Compare with involute and plane.) [modified from H&H, p. 158]
Root The portions of a plant that are anatomically distinct from the shoot and that lack nodes and internodes; roots serve for anchorage, absorption and/or storage, and usually grow below ground. (Compare with shoot.) [modified from K&P, pp. 87-88 (see radix)]
Scale (1) Small, flattened structures that are usually thin, dry and membranous in texture.
Scale (2) Small, often triangular shaped, leaves that are appressed to the branchlets as in juniper (Juniperus).
Scale-like With small, typically triangular-shaped leaves that are often appressed to the branchlets, as in juniper (Juniperus). (Compare with broad-leaved and needle-like.) [modified from W&K, p. 603]
Seed A mature or ripened ovule. [modified from K&P, p. 95]
Seed cone A female or ovule-producing cone; typically larger and persisting longer than pollen cones.
Sepal A unit or segment of the outermost floral envelope or calyx of a flower; usually green and leaf-like. (Compare with petal.) [modified from L, p. 769]
Serotinous Having cones that remain closed long after the seeds are ripe. [modified from D, p. 1143]
Serrate Toothed along the margin, the sharp teeth pointing forward; sawtoothed. (Compare with dentate and entire.) [modified from H&H, p. 158 & K&P, p. 97]
Sessile Without a stalk, positioned directly against the bearing structure. (Compare with nearly sessile and stalked.) [modified from W&K, p. 604]
Shoot (1) The portions of a plant that are anatomically distinct from the root and differentiated into nodes, where leaves and branches originate, and the spaces in between (internodes); shoots consist of stems, leaves and any other structures borne from the stem. (Compare with root.) [modified from K&P, p. 98]
Shoot (2) A young stem or branch. [H&H, p. 107]
Short shoot A stumpy, slow growing, lateral branch with very short internodes, often bearing flowers; a dwarf shoot. (Compare with long shoot.) [modified from W&K, p. 604]
Shrub A relatively short, woody, perennial plant, usually without a single stem or trunk, and often with many crowded branches. (Compare with bush and tree.) [modified from RDMB, p. 88]
Simple Undivided, as a leaf blade that is not separated into distinct leaflets; not compound. (Compare with compound.) [modified from H&H, p. 156]
Sinus The space or recess between two divisions or lobes of an organ such as a leaf or petal. [modified from L, p. 770]
Smooth Bark having a more or less continuous, even surface, with relatively few fissures or protrusions, as in American beech (Fagus grandifolia). [modified from H, p. xx]
Solitary Occurring singly and not borne in a cluster or group. (Compare with clustered and fascicled.) [modified from H&H, p. 175]
Spine A woody, sharp-pointed, modified leaf or leaf part. (Compare with prickle and thorn.) [modified from W&K, p. 39]
Spiral Arranged along the stem in such a way that a line connecting the points of attachment would form a spiral; a form of alternate arrangement. [modified from H&K, p. 39]
Spreading Extending outward horizontally, or upward at an angle between 90º to 45º relative to the bearing structure. (Compare with appressed, ascending and reflexed.) [modified from K&P, p. 102]
Stalk A supporting axis or column that bears a structure at its apex and is usually narrower than the structure being borne, as the stalk of a flower or leaf. [modified from K&P, p. 102]
Stalked With a stalk. (Compare with nearly sessile and sessile.)
Stamen The male reproductive organ in a flower that produces and releases pollen, composed of an anther usually borne on a stalk (filament). [modified from Z, pp. 384-85]
Stem The axis of a shoot, bearing leaves, bracts and/or flowers, and usually growing above ground, but sometimes specialized and growing underground or on the surface of the ground; stems are differentiated into regions called nodes, where leaves and branches originate, and internodes. [modified from K&P, p. 103]
Sterigma A persistent leaf base that remains on the twig after the leaf falls, appearing as peg-like projection.
Stigma The pollen-receptive region at the tip of a pistil. [modified from Z, p. 385]
Stomate A microscopic pore on the surface of a leaf, stem or other surface, that controls moisture loss and exchange of gases.
Stout With armature that is relatively thick and sturdy; not breaking easily. (Compare with weak.)
Style The more or less elongated portion of a pistil between the ovary and the stigma. [modified from L, p. 772]
Symmetric Divisible into essentially equal halves along one or more planes. (Compare with asymmetric and nearly symmetric.) [modified from K&P, p. 108]
Synoecious With all flowers or cones bisexual, i.e. bearing functional reproductive structures of both sexes. (Compare with dioecious and monoecious.) [modified from K&P, p. 109]
Thorn A woody, sharp-pointed, modified stem. (Compare with prickle and spine.) [modified from W&K, p. 39]
Three-sided More or less triangular-shaped in cross section.
Tree A relatively tall, woody, perennial plant usually with a single stem (trunk) that bears branches. (Compare with shrub.) [modified from RDMB, p. 88]
Trichome Any type of plant hair (except for root hairs). [W&K, p. 607]
Trunk The aboveground, relatively stout, main stem of a tree; the bole. [modified from K&P, p. 133]
Twig The relatively small end portion of a woody branchlet; a small branchlet. (Compare with branchlet.) [modified from K&P, p. 114]
Two-sided More or less flat in cross section, with an upper and lower surface.
Two-ranked Arising from the bearing axis in two rows, usually on opposite sides. [modified from H&H, p. 128]
Unarmed Without a hook, prickle or other sharply pointed structure on the end of the cone scale. (Compare with armed.)
Unisexual Having functional reproductive structures of only one sex in the flower or cone. (Compare with bisexual.) [modified from K&P, p. 115]
Vegetative Of, or relating to, the non-reproductive parts of a plant.
Weak With armature that is slender and tends to break easily. (Compare with stout.)
Whorled With three or more leaves positioned on the stem at the same level; three or more leaves occurring at each node. (Compare with alternate and opposite.) [modified from K&P, p. 119]
Woody (1) With an aboveground shoot composed of relatively hard tissue that persists from one growing season to the next.
Woody (2) Of or resembling wood, and thus relatively hard and dry. (Compare with fleshy and leathery.) [modified from K&P, p. 119]
References
D Dirr, Michael A. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses, 5th ed. Stipes Publishing: Champaign, Illinois.
H&H Harris, James G. and Melinda Woolf Harris. 2001. Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary, 2nd ed. Spring Lake Publishing: Spring Lake, Utah.
H&K Hickey, Michael and Clive King. 2000. The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.
H Hightshoe, Gary L. 1978. Native Trees for Urban and Rural America: A Planting Design Manual for Environmental Designers. Iowa State University Research Foundation: Ames, Iowa.
K&P Kiger, Robert W. and Duncan M. Porter. 2001. Categorical Glossary for the Flora of North America Project. Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
L Lawrence, George H. M. 1951. Taxonomy of Vascular Plants. The MacMillan Company: New York.
RDMB Radford, Albert E., William C. Dickison, Jimmy R. Massey, and C. Ritchie Bell. 1974. Vascular Plant Systematics. Harper & Row Publishers: New York, Evanston, San Francisco, London.
REE Raven, Peter H., Ray F. Evert, and Susan E. Eichhorn. 1999. Biology of Plants, 6th ed. Worth Publishers: New York.
W&K Walters, Dirk R. and David J. Keil. 1996. Vascular Plant Taxonomy, 4th ed. Kendall/Hunt Publishing: Dubuque, Iowa.
Z Zomlefer, Wendy B. 1994. Guide to Flowering Plant Families. University of North Carolina Press: Chapel Hill, NC & London.