Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

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Glossary of Botany Terms
Cladode A leaf-like stem, e.g. Asparagus
Cluster A number of similar flowers or fruits growing closely together.
Compound A structure made up of several similar parts as compound leaf and
compound flower.
Cone A fruiting body comprising of bracts arranged on an elongated axis,
in the axil of which lie the male or female flowers, e.g. Ephedra.
Cordate Heart shaped. Pertaining to leaf shape.
Corolla The second whorl of a flower. Individual parts are the petals
Corona A cup-like or crown-like process from the throat of the corolla.
Cosmopolitan Growing in most parts of the world.
Creeping Spreading over the ground or other surface.
Crenate Margin of leaf that is lobed. The lobes being rounded.
Culms Refers to peculiar hollow, jointed stem of grasses.
Cuneate
apex.
Margin of leaf or petal narrowing or tapering towards the base or
Cupressiform A cone shaped appearance of tree.
Cyathia A cup shaped Inflorescence, characteristic feature of the genus
Euphorbia.
Cylindrical Having the form of a cylinder.
Cyme An inflorescence in which the primary axis bears a single central or
terminal flower that blooms first.
D
Deciduous
decidua.
Plants shedding leaves during unfavorable seasons, e.g. Capparis
Decumbent Trailing along the ground with the end ascending.
Dentate Generally pertaining to leaf margin in which teeth are at more or
less right angles to the mid-vein of the leaf.
Dichotomous Branch of stem is forked once or twice.
Digitate Palm or hand-like. e.g, the leaves of Merremia.
Dimorphous Generally a leaf with two forms, e.g. Cocculus.
Dioecious Male and female flowers borne on the different plants, e.g. Phoenix
sylvestris (Palm), Populus euphratica and Ephedra.
Divaricate Forked branches, spreading apart.
Dormant Resting or non-vegetative stage, usually during winter.
Drupe A fleshy or pulpy fruit.
E
Elliptic Leaf shape in the form of ellipse.
Endemic Generally plants or animals of localized or restricted distribution.
Epicalyx A whorl of bract-like structures below the calyx, e.g. Pavonia.
Erect Upright in position, vertical throughout.
Evergreen Plants having persistent leaves and remain green throughout the
year, e.g. Salvadora.