Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

LIST OF BOTANICAL TERMS 331
cyme an inflorescence in which the main axis is terminated by a flower
which opens first, this flower is subtended by two opposite branches
each of which ends in a flower, these open next and are likewise
subtended by two opposite branches; this branching pattern may
continue.
cymule a dimunitive cyme.
declinate bent or curved downward or forward; also used for stamens
with sympetalous flowers which are inserted on the ventral (abaxial)
side of the corolla tube and then usually bent up.
decumbent lying on the ground but with the apex growing upwards.
decussate when each of pair of opposite leaves are arranged
perpendicular to leaf pairs above and below.
distichous arranged in two opposing rows.
divaricate spreading in different directions.
dorsifixed (about anthers) attached to the back or dorsal side.
elaiosome an outgrowth from a seed containing oil or fat and which is
often attractive to ants which aid in the dispersal of the seed.
endemic being confined to a particular geographic region.
ensiform sword-like.
epigynous situated above the ovary.
equitant (of leaves) 2 ranked with the leaves arranged so that their bases
overlap (fit into) each other.
falcate curved like a scythe or sickle.
extrorse facing the outside; of anthers that open away from the center of
the flower; the opposite of introrse.
fascicle a close cluster of structures arising from about the same point,
but lacking a distinct arrangement of parts.
fasciculate borne in fascicles.
fistulose hollow, like a pipe, and herbaceous.
funicle the stalk of the ovule, attaching it to the placenta.
fusiform spindle shaped, widest in the middle and narrowing at both
ends.
geophyte a plant which perennates by subterranean buds.
glabrous without hairs, a surface devoid of hairs.
hyaline very thin and almost transparent.
hypogynous situated below the base of the ovary.
hysteranthous not developing leaves before the end of the flowering.
indigenous native to a region, not introduced.
indumentum any cover of a surface but usually restricted to a covering of
hair-like structures.
inferior ovary an ovary that is below the attachment of the sepals, petals
and stamens, and if present, the calyx tube or hypanthium.
integument the structure(s) enclosing the central nutritive tissue of the
ovule, finally forming the testa.
introrse turned inward toward the central axis of an organ; of anthers
that open towards the center of the flower; the opposite of extrorse.
involucre a number of bracts that surround the base of an umbel or the
base of a flower head.
locule a chamber or compartment, mostly of an ovary or a fruit.
loculicidal splitting along the central parts of the locule (not in the walls
separating the locules).
moniliform like a string of beads.
monophyletic a taxonomic group where all its members have evolved
from a single ancestor, and where all the descendants of that
ancestor are included in the group.