Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

330 ALOES AND LILIES OF ETHIOPIA
List of botanical terms
acaulescent without an easily seen stem
actinomorphic (about flowers) radially symmetrical, can be divided into
two identical halves by several radial lines.
acuminate becoming gradually narrower to a slender point.
anthesis the period when the pollen is shed and the stigmata are
receptive to pollen; from the opening of the flower bud to the setting
of the seed.
aril an outer covering or appendage, often fleshy and/or brightly colored,
that encloses the seed.
attenuate tapering gradually to a slender point.
basifixed (about anthers) the filament is attached to the base of the
anther.
bilaterally symmetry when a structure has one plane of symmetry; if
cut along this plane the two halves are mirror images of each other;
usually used for flowers (synonymous with zygomorphic).
bifacial (about leaves) with clearly defined upper and lower surfaces
throughout the leaf.
bracta small leaf-like structure usually associated with a flower and/or
inflorescence.
campanulate bell-shaped, with a broad tube and a wide opening.
canaliculate having a distinct grove running lengthwise.
capitate like the head of a pin (as in the thickened stigma of some
flowers) or a compact cluster of flowers forming a head.
cartilagenous hardened and tough (horn-like), but capable of being bent.
cataphyll reduced, scale-like leaf; usually used for reduced leaves other
than bracts.
caudate abruptly ending in a long and very narrow tip, like a tail.
caulescent with a clearly visible stem above ground.
cauline placed on an aerial stem.
cladodes a leaf-like structure formed by a modified stem.
clavate club-shaped; thickened at the end.
connivent coming close together or converging, but not united, often
closer together above than below.
coriaceous with a thick and firm texture, similar to leather.
corm a short, thick underground stem, which grows vertically, for
example, in many Iridaceae.
corymb a panicle-like inflorescence in which the branches or flower-stalks
start from different places on the stem, but all the flowers are borne
at about the same level.
corymbose corymb-like.
cucullate hooded or hood-shaped ( a hood is a covering for a person’s
head).