Glossary ANNUAL - a plant completing its life cycle in approximately one year.
OVATE - egg-shaped, but in two dimensions, broader near the stem.
APPRESSED - pressed closely to another organ, but separate from it.
PEDICEL - the stalk of a single flower.
AXILLARY - arising from the angle (axil) between a leaf and its stem. BASAL - at the base of the plant. BRACT - a modified leaf or scale in whose axil a flower or inflorescence arises. CAPSULE - a dry fruit that splits into two or more sections on maturity. COMPOUND LEAF - a leaf composed of a number of leaflets with only one petiole; compound leaves also have growth buds in the axils. DENTATE - with sharp, spreading rather coarse teeth standing out from the margin. DISCOLOROUS - when both surfaces of a leaf are unlike in colour.
PEDUNCLE - the stalk of an inflorescence. PELTATE - leaf stalk attached to the underside or blade of a leaf some distance in. PERENNIAL - a plant capable of living for two or more years. PETIOLE - the part forming the attachment of a leaf blade to the stem of a plant. PETIOLULE - the part forming the attachment of a leaflet blade to the rachis of a compound leaf. PHYLLODE - a modified, flattened leaf stalk looking and acting like a leaf (found on some wattles). PINNATE - compound leaf with leaflets (pinnae) arranged symmetrically on either side of a central stalk.
GENUS - a group of closely related species.
PINNATIFID - cut deeply (but not to the midrib) into lobes that are spaced out along the axis.
HERB - generally a smallish plant lacking a woody stem.
PROCUMBENT - trailing or lying flat without rooting.
INFLORESCENCE - an arrangement of flowers on a stem.
PROSTRATE - lying flat on the ground.
LEAF MARGIN - outer edge of a leaf.
PUBESCENT - with a covering of short, stiff down-like hairs.
LENTICEL - a lens-shaped dot or pit on young bark, through which gaseous exchange may occur.
RACEME - an unbranched flower stem with flowers on stalks, the oldest being at the base.
NODE - the point on a stem where the leaves or branches can arise.
RACHIS - central stalk of a compound leaf. SCABROUS - rough to the touch.
OBOVATE - similar to ovate, but attached at the narrower end; egg- shaped but broader near the apex.
SESSILE - without a stalk.
OBOVOID - obovate in outline, but in three dimensions.
SHRUB - woody plant with multiple stems emanating from or near ground level.
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SERRATE - with saw-toothed leaf margins.
