Alternate
A leaf arrangement where one leaf grows from each node, alternating from one side of the stem to the other.
Anther
The part of a stamen that produces and releases pollen.
Bract
A modified leaf associated with a flower or flower head. Bracts can be very useful for identification.
Primary functions
- Protection — In the bud stage, bracts fold tightly around young flowers to shield them from harsh weather and pests.
- Pollinator attraction — Colourful or petal-like bracts draw in bees, butterflies and birds when the actual flowers are too small to be noticed on their own.
- Fruit support — Some bracts stay attached to the plant as it matures to support or protect developing fruits.
Calyx
The collective name for the sepals of a flower.
Capitulum
A compact flower head made up of many small florets attached to a common receptacle. Typical of the daisy family, Asteraceae.
Corolla
The collective name for the petals of a flower.
Cyme
A determinate inflorescence in which the terminal flower opens first, followed by flowers below or to the sides.
Disc floret
A small tubular floret usually found in the centre of a flower head in members of the Asteraceae.
Elliptic
A leaf shape that is widest around the middle and tapers fairly evenly towards both ends.
Entire
Describes a leaf margin that is smooth and has no teeth, lobes or divisions.
Floret
One of the small individual flowers that together form a composite flower head.
Inflorescence
The arrangement of flowers on a plant, including structures such as racemes, spikes, umbels and capitula.
Involucre
A group or ring of bracts surrounding a flower head or other inflorescence.
Lanceolate
A lance-shaped leaf: longer than it is wide, widest below the middle and tapering towards the tip.
Opposite
A leaf arrangement where two leaves arise from the same node on opposite sides of the stem.
Ovate
An egg-shaped leaf, broader towards the base than towards the tip.
Panicle
A branched inflorescence in which the main axis bears branching flower stalks.
Pedicel
The stalk of an individual flower within an inflorescence.
Petiole
The stalk that attaches a leaf blade to the stem.
Pinnate
A compound leaf with leaflets arranged on either side of a central axis, rather like a feather.
Raceme
An unbranched inflorescence with individual flowers carried on short stalks along a central axis.
Ray floret
A floret with a strap-like extension, often forming the petal-like outer part of an Asteraceae flower head.
Receptacle
The part of the flower stalk on which the flower parts, or the florets of a flower head, are attached.
Rosette
A circular or spreading arrangement of leaves close to ground level.
Sepal
One of the usually green outer parts of a flower that protects the developing flower bud.
Serrate
A leaf margin with sharp, saw-like teeth pointing generally towards the leaf tip.
Sessile
Attached directly without a stalk. A sessile leaf has no petiole; a sessile flower has no pedicel.
Spike
An unbranched inflorescence with flowers attached directly to the main axis without individual flower stalks.
Stamen
The male reproductive part of a flower, normally consisting of a filament and anther.
Stigma
The pollen-receiving part of the female reproductive structure of a flower.
Stipule
A small leaf-like structure found at the base of a leaf stalk in some plants.
Style
The structure connecting the stigma to the ovary.
Umbel
An inflorescence in which several flower stalks arise from approximately the same point, rather like the ribs of an umbrella.
Whorled
A leaf arrangement where three or more leaves arise from the same node around the stem.