Plant Tax Terminology for Test 2

funiculus

stalk that holds the ovule

micropile

opening where a megasporangium is exposed

anther

fused microsporangia (aka pollen sacks)

stamen

anther + filament

gynoecium

all the female parts of the flower, collectively

staminodes

sterile stamens that didn’t develop or are highly modified (Cannaceae, Zingiberaceae, Marantaceae, Iridaceae)

tepals

merge between petals and sepals

connate

fusion of similar plant organs

ethereal oils

family of aromatic chemicals (Lauraceae, Schisandraceae, Magnoliaceae)

spathe

modified leaf that encloses an inflorescence, used to attract insects (Araceae)

equitant leaves

grow in one plane, usually in a fan like structure (Iridaceae, Strelitziaceae, Acoraceae)

elaiosome

oily outgrowth of seeds that attracts ants (Trilliaceae)

laminar stamen

ancestral stamens lacking filament and anther. Characteristic of Magnolia and Nymphaea (Magnoliaceae)

extant

a currently living species

apocarpous

carpels are separate

carpel

ovule bearing unit(s) that makes up the gynocium

perisperm

diploid nutritive tissue in the seeds of some angiosperms derived from the sporangium wall (Piperaceae, Nymphaeaceae)

stigmatic ridge

a raised, often sticky structural feature on the stigma of a flower that acts as a receptive surface for pollen (Araceae)

receptacle

floral axis that bears the flower parts

arcuate veination

a leaf vein pattern where secondary veins curve upward from the midrib and run nearly parallel to the leaf margin, often creating a heart-shaped or arched appearance

spadix

spike with a thickened, fleshy axis; characteristic of members of the (Araceae, Acoraceae, Piperales, Aracaceae, Potamogetonaceae, Typhaceae)

epiphyte

plant growing on another plant, which is used as support (Bromeliaceae)

loculicidal capsule

capsule splits longitudinally, and not on a seam (Iridaceae, Liliaceae)

phylomelan

opaque, black, carbonaceous substance that forms a crust on the testa of most plants in the Asparagales order (definitely Asphofelaceae)

septicidal capsule

capsule splits longitudinally and along a seam

polycarpic

that flower, fruit, and set seeds multiple times throughout their lifespan, rather than dying after a single reproductive cycle (Most angiosperms do this)

phylloclade

flattened, leaf-like stem (Asparagaceae, Ruscaceae)

ovary

ovule bearing part of a carpel (or several fused carpels)

ovule

structure in seed plants comprised of the female gametophyte, the sporangium, 1-3 integuments, and a funiculus. Develops into a seed after fertilization.

pedicel

stalk of a single flower in an inflorescence

perfect flower

(aka bisexual flower) flower has stamens and carpels

stigma

part of the carpel that receives and facilitates the germination of pollen

style

elongated part of the carpel between the stigma and the ovary

testa

outer part of the seed coat

tegemen

inner part of the seed coat

umbel

inflorescence where all flowers are attached to the same point (Alliaceae)

raceme

inflorescence where all flowers are attached along an axis

scape

stalk that has flowers but no leaves

corona

extra-floral whorl (Amaryllidaceae)

rhyzome

horizontal, underground stem

adnation

fusion of different parts

colpates

pollen grains that possess long, furrow-like apertures

follicule

dry, dehiscent fruit from 1 carpel, splits along one suture when mature

capsule

dry dehiscent fruit developed from several carpels

tendril

specialized, thread-like stem or leaf structures that coil around supports to help climbing plants secure themselves and access sunlight

cleft

a margin or surface that is divided by sharp, deep sinuses that extend about half-way to the midrib or base

axis

• aka receptacle or thalamus

• the specialized, contracted stem tip of a flower where sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels attach

achene

one-seeded, dry, indehiscent fruit; seed is attached to the fruit wall at one point

drupes

fleshy fruit, has a pit, one seeded, developed from a superior ovary

nyctinasty

movement of plants in response to darkness (Marantaceae)

trimerous

flowers with parts arranged in multiples of three

poricidal

anthers or fruits that release pollen or seeds through small pores, holes, or slits rather than longitudinal splits

spring ephemeral

complete their lifecycle—emerging, blooming, and setting seed—in early spring before deciduous trees canopy.

bract

a specialized, often reduced leaf-like structure that subtends a flower, inflorescence

complete flowers

have perianth, androecium, and gynoecium

incomplete flowers

one or more of the main whorls is lacking

perfect flowers

androecium and gynoecium (bisexual)

imperfect flowers

androecium or gynoecium (unisexual, staminate or pistillate)

polygamous plant

perfect and imperfect flowers on the same plant

synecous

plant has only perfect flowers

monoecious

both types of imperfect flowers are located on the same plant

dioecious

plants have all staminate or all pistillate flowers

connation

fusion of like parts

floral formula

symmetry (radial *, bilateral +), # sepals, # petals (circle if fused), # stamens, # carpels (underline for superior ovary), fruit type

endosperm

triploid nutrient-dense tissue in the seed of most angiosperms, derived from the fusion of a sperm and the 2 polar nuclei of the female gametophyte (Present in most angiosperms)

embryo sac

female gametophyte of the angiosperms (Amborellaceae)

conduplicate carpel

formed by a folded leaf, fused seam is present (Magnoliaceae)

stipule

pair of appendages on the petiole base [Smilacaceae (Smilax)]

filiform leaves

long, extremely slender, thread-like or hair-like leaf structure (Ceratophyllaceae, Poaceae)

branching spadix

a type of inflorescence where the main fleshy axis branches into multiple smaller branches (rachillae), each bearing numerous tiny, sessile flowers (Arecaceae)

prickle

modified, sharp, epidermis (Smilacaceae)

mycoparasitic

Plant that is dependent on mushrooms for its nutrients (Orchidaceae)

glume, lemma, palea

specialized bracts forming the protective, chaffy outer husks of grass spikelets and florets (Poaceae family)

perigynium

Urn-shaped or saclike prophyll surrounding the carpellate flower of some Cyperaceae (Carex)

perianth bristles

hair-like or bristle-like structures found at the base of the fruit in certain sedges (Cyperaceae family) (Scirpus)

arillate seeds

seeds with a hard to juicy, often brightly colored outgrowth. Usually developed from the funiculus or the outer integument (Schisandraceae, Zingiberales)

papillate fruit

fruit covered with short, rounded bumps or projections (Piperaceae, Cannaceae)

prophyll

a specialized, often reduced leaf or bract-like structure located at the first node of a lateral branch or shoot, typically positioned between the branch and the main axis

perianth

collective term for all the tepals of a flower

monocarpic

grows for a long time, flowers once, dies (Agavaceae)