a leaf with an acuminate tip

Glossary of terms - A

abscission

A plant's normal shedding of an organ that is mature or aged, e.g. a ripe fruit or an old leaf.

acaulescent

Describing a plant that has no apparent stem, or at least none visible above ground.

actinomorphic

A star-shaped flower or one with radial symmetry, divided into regular or equal pie-shaped segments.

acuminate

Tapering gradually to a point.

acute

Sharply pointed; converging edges making an angle of less than 90°.

adventitious

A structure produced in an abnormal position; e.g. an adventitious bud produced from a stem rather than from the axil of a leaf.

aerial

Of the air; growing or borne above the surface of the ground.

alkaloid

Molecule with a nitrogenous base, many used as drugs; e.g. morphine, quinine, strychnine.

alternate

Alternating position from side to side or radially around the stem.

anemophilous

Seed plants which are wind pollinated.

angiosperms

The group of 'flowering plants'; plants with developing seeds enclosed in an ovary.

apetalous

Without petals.

aphrodisiac

A food or other substance that excites sexual desire.

apiculate

Terminating in a short sharp flexible point (usually referring to a leaf).

apocarpous

Consisting with one or more carpels which are free from one another (or nearly so).

arborescent

Tree-like in growth or general appearance.

archaeophyte

A non-native plant that has been present in a geographic area for some time.

ascending

Spreading horizontally, then becoming erect.

asexual

Of reproduction that does not involve the gametes; i.e. vegetative reproduction.

attenuate

Narrowing gradually.

axil

The upper angle between one part of a plant and another; e.g. the stem and a leaf.

axillary

Borne in or arising from the axil of a leaf.

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