Hunt Institute logo

Flora of North America Glossary

Reset
Basic Search
Displaying 226-250 of 2673
Term Synonyms Category Limitation Definition
barbellule = barbellula STRUCTURE A small barbel (barbella); a very diminutive barb.
bark STRUCTURE The outermost portion of any shoot or root axis having secondary growth, consisting of all those tissues outside the vascular cambium; sometimes exhibiting zonation into inner, living bark and outer, dead bark; usually described only as to external appearance.
basal < proximal insertion At or very near the developmental origin (base) of a structure.
basal < proximal position At or very near the developmental origin (base) of a structure.
basal cell STRUCTURE Any of the ring of cells forming the lowermost (proximal) portion of an antheridial wall.
base CHARACTER Configuration of the lowermost or proximal portion of a structure, its extent determined somewhat subjectively in relation to the shape of the structure as a whole. The concept of base varies from one descriptive context to another, since the base is not a clearly delimited, morphologically distinct entity. The terms for describing basal condition are not strictly coordinate logically — some are more inclusive than others, and some describe conditions involving what can be regarded as appendages — and precise characterization may require using more than one descriptor. The semantic antecedent of some descriptors is "base," whereas the antecedent of others is the structure as a whole (e.g., leaf ).
basicauliramous architecture plant Having the stem(s) branching at or near the base. See also basiramous.
basicaulous insertion At or very near the stem base.
basicaulous position At or very near the stem base.
basifixed fixation Attached at its base.
basipetal development Proceeding toward the base, thus more advanced apically or distally than basally or proximally within a given frame of reference.
basiramous architecture axis Branching at or near the base. See also basicauliramous.
basiscopic orientation subordinate structure Directed, facing, or pointing ("looking") toward the base of the bearing structure.
beaded = moniliform solid shape Elongate, relatively slender, transversely round, and more or less regularly constricted over its length, the whole straight or variously curved; like a necklace of beads.
beak 1 = rostrum STRUCTURE A relatively long, tapering, more or less rigid and pointed enation or termination.
beak 2 = rostrum STRUCTURE The inner, horn-like segment of a coronal lobe; esp. in Asclepiadaceae.
beaked = rostrate apex Terminating in a relatively long, tapering, more or less rigid point. See also small-beaked (rostellate).
beaklet 1 = rostellum STRUCTURE A small beak or rostrum.
beaklet 2 = rostellum STRUCTURE A sterile excrescent stigma lobe protruding between the anther and the functional stigma lobes of a column; sometimes forming one or more viscidia at pollinium maturity; esp. in Orchidaceae.
beard STRUCTURE A growth of relatively long, erect, flexible, capillary trichomes from one or more limited sectors of a structure's surface.
bearded = barbate pubescence Having one or more limited sectors bearing relatively long, erect, flexible, capillary trichomes.
bellied = ventricose solid shape Bulging unilaterally near the middle, as though with a belly.
bell-shaped = campanulate solid shape Circular in cross-section, inflated proximally, thence broadening gradually to a flared distal portion.
bent = flexed solid shape Having an abrupt bend at some point along its length. See also declinate (inclinate), geniculate (kneed), inflexed, reflexed.
berry nominative fruit Indehiscent, few- to many-seeded, and derived from a single, simple or compound ovary; fleshy throughout except for the seeds. See also hesperidium, pepo.
Displaying 226-250 of 2673