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Flora of North America Glossary

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Term Synonyms Category Limitation Definition
surface FEATURE The exterior or bounding area or layer of any structure, regarded as being infinitely thin; usually described as to relief, reflectance, and/or vesture.
surficial = superficial insertion Directly upon the surface of the structure in point.
surficial = superficial position Directly upon the surface of the structure in point.
suture FEATURE An evident line of ontogenetic union.
swollen = tumid, turgid solid shape Engorged in appearance, convex overall with the surface appearing taut , as though from internal pressure. See also inflated, which is not clearly distinct in its application.
sword-shaped 1 = ensate plane shape Elongate and moderately slender, broadest at the base and gradually attenuate to a short, more strongly attenuate, acute apex; like the outline of the lateral face of a broadsword blade.
sword-shaped 2 = ensiform solid shape Elongate and moderately slender, strongly compressed, the opposite faces plane, parallel, broadest at the base and gradually attenuate to a short, more strongly attenuate, acute apex; like a broadsword blade.
syconium pl. syconia = fig; < coenocarp, infructescence (not recommended), multiple fruit, syncarp nominative fruit Compound and derived from a many-flowered inflorescence borne on the deeply invaginated, thus interior, surface of an enlarged, fleshy, enclosing, wall-like structure of accessory stem tissue that has a distal aperture (ostiole); the individual fruits tiny, dry, and indehiscent, each derived from a simple, superior ovary; in Ficus (Moraceae).
symbiotic nutrition plant Partially dependent for essential nourishment upon other living organisms that derive some reciprocal benefit from the relationship.
symmetric(al) 1 architecture Divisible into essentially equal halves along one or more lines or planes.
symmetric(al) 1 plane shape Divisible into essentially equal halves along one or more lines or planes.
symmetric(al) 1 solid shape Divisible into essentially equal halves along one or more lines or planes.
symmetric(al) 2 architecture flower Having the perianth members in whorls that are actinomorphic and equal in number of members.
sympetalous = gamopetalous architecture flower, perianth, corolla Having two or more petals that are partially or wholly connate.
sympodial architecture axes Branching laterally, each axis of each apparent order of branches comprising a series of laterally derived segments each of which functioned in turn as the distal leader, the apical meristem of each segment dominant until supplanted by that of the next. See also monopodial.
synandrous architecture flower, androecium Having the stamens connate.
synangium pl. synangia STRUCTURE A compound sporangium; an aggregation of coherent sporangia, the whole multilocular.
synanthous maturation non-floral structure Maturing at the same time as the flowers. See also coetaneous.
syncarp = coenocarp, infructescence (not recommended), multiple fruit; > fig, syconium nominative fruit Compound and derived from the connate or coherent ovaries and accessory tissue(s), if any, of two or more adjacent flowers.
syncarpous architecture flower, gynoecium Having one or more compound pistils.
syncolpate architecture pollen grain Having two or more fused or confluent surficial grooves (colpi).
syncolporate architecture pollen grain Syncolpate, each groove containing a pore.
syndetocheilic = compound-lipped architecture stomate Having subsidiary cells derived from the primary stoma mother cell and thus immediately related ontogenetically to the guard cells.
syngenesious fusion flower, androecium Having the anthers connate or coherent and forming a ring.
synoecious = monoclinous reproduction taxon Having all flowers functionally bisexual; this condition is implied by default if no other is specified. See also diclinous.
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