Acaulescent
A plant that has no stem or appears to have no stem - though it may be hidden underground.
Aceriform
Deeply lobed shape - like a maple leaf.
Acerose
needle shaped, narrow with a sharp point
Acid Soil
Any soil with a pH reading below 6.5 on a scale of 1-14; the lower the reading, the more acid the soil.
Actinomorphic
The flower shows radial symmetry and can be divided in half along many plains.
Adventitous Roots
Includes all roots that do not develop from a seed. This includes roots that develop from stems and leaves.
Aereate
To loosen the soil and allow air into the structure - very good to increase drainage and worm activity.
Aerial roots
Roots that appear from the trunk or stem of a plant above ground. They may just hang in the breeze and collect moisture from it or hang down and take hold in the soil below.
Alba
Latin word used in plant names meaning white colouring
Alkaline Soil
Any soil with a pH reading above 7.5 on a scale of 1-14; the higher the reading, the more alkaline the soil.
Alpine
Referring to plants that come from areas above the tree line - e.g. where is too cold for trees to grow
Amphiphyte
Plants that grow close to water or wetlands
Anchor Root
A large root whose main purpose is to hold a plant in place rather than supply moisture and nutrients which tend to come from the smaller/finer roots.
Anemone Centered
This term describes flower heads where the central petals or flowers form a cushion-like mound, while the outer rim of petals are flat. Some chrysanthemums are typical of this formation.
Angustifolia
Latin word used in plant names meaning narrow leaves
Annual
A plant grown from seed that flowers, seeds and dies back in just one season.
Anther
The pollen bearing part of a flower's male sexual organ.
Anthracnose
A white/grey fungus that grows as spots on stems and leaves
Apetalus
Without petals
Aphid
A small sucking insect. They are only a few milimetres long, pear shaped, and appear in great numbers at the tender growing points of the attacked plant. They are most easily recognized by the fact that they secrete a sticky fluid called honeydew, and by the ants that will often be found at the same site, appearing to "tend" the aphids. They can be controlled by knocking them from the plants with a hard stream of cold water or by spraying with insecticidal soap or chilli water.
Arenarius
Latin word used in plant names meaning growing in sandy places
Argentea
Latin word used in plant names meaning silver
Aristata
Latin word used in plant names meaning bearded
Asexual Reproduction
The propagation of plants by other means than germination of seeds - e.g. taking cuttings, by division, grafting, air or earth layering, tissue culture, or other vegetative methods.
Asperata
Latin word used in plant names meaning rough or uneven
Aurea
Latin word used in plant names meaning golden
Aureospicata
Latin word used in plant names meaning golden spike
Australis
Latin word used in plant names meaning southern
Auxin
Hormone produced by the plant to control and regulate various growth processes. These include auxins produced by the apical bud that suppresses growth of lateral buds. Removal of the terminal bud allows the lateral buds to start to grow.
Awn
A long hair or bristle-like projection from a floret. Grasses often feature Awns as in Rye Grass, though perhaps Barley is the most easily recognised example in nature. Awns are particularly beneficial in assisting the seeds of grain heads to burrow into the soil and germinate.
Axil
The upper angle between a leaf stalk and the stem where new buds and stems arise.