Plant Surface Terminology

cespitose

relatively low-growing, many stems coming out of the same root crown

striate

having distinct longitudinal lines

punctate

having obvious, more or less regular oil glands

canaliculate (suclate)

having obvious channel or groove

rugose

having irregularly raised or wrinkled skin

trichomes

a small hair or other outgrowth from the epidermis of a plant, typically unicellular and glandular

glabrous

lacking hairs entirely

glabrate (glabrescent)

having a sparse to moderate covering of hairs but becoming glabrous with age

pubescent

having a moderate covering of relatively short hairs that are more or less upright

sericeous

relatively soft, more or less appressed against the surface

tomentose

with wavy hair that intertwines to some extent

lanate

somewhat wavy hairs (longer than tomentose)

villous

like lanate, but somewhat longer

pilose

typically even longer than villous but often somewhat stiffer

arachnose

having thin, long, cobweb-type hairs intertwined

scabrous

short stiff hairs

hirsute

more or less erect

hispid

like hirsute but even stiffer and perhaps longer

flocose

a distinct (and usually) short tuft