Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

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Glossary of Botany Terms
Radical Leaves that arise from the base of the stem.
Reticulate Forming a net or network, as the veins of some leaves.
Rhizome A root-like underground stem, having leaves and roots.
Rosettes A circular cluster of leaves that radiate from a center at or close to the
ground.
Rugose A rough, wrinkled surface, as in certain prominently veined leaves.
Runner An elongated lateral shoot, rooting at regular intervals, e.g. the
grass
Ochthochloa.
S
Saprophytic Feeding on dead and decaying organic material
Scabrid Term applied to rough or hardish surface.
Scandent Climbing with support of other trees or rocks or walls etc.
Scape A leafless peduncle rising from the ground.
Schizocarp A dry, dehiscent fruit that at maturity splits into two or more oneseeded
carpels.
Sedge Refers to grass-like plants with jointless, 3-angled stem, usually
growing around water. Members of family Cyperaceae are
referred
as Sedge. e.g. Cyperus.
Sepal Individual member of a calyx.
Sessile Without a stalk, e.g. leaf of Calotropis procera (Akk).
Shrub Perennial plant with woody stems, and branching from the base.
Simple Term used for a single leaf or flower, as opposed to compound.
Species Basic unit of classification, member of a genus.
Spiciform Spike-like
Spike Flowers borne on central axis without any stalk, e.g.
Typha.
Stamen Individual part of the androecium or male part of the flower.
Stellate Star-like, branches radiating from center like rays of star.
Stigma Part of the pistil that receives the pollen.
Stipule Appendages present at the base of a leaf.
Stolon A branch lying on the ground, rooting and producing shoot(s) at
regular intervals.
Stoloniferous Producing stolon.
Style Portion of the pistil which lies above the ovary and bears the stigma.
Subspecies A sub-unit of a species.
Succulent Thick, fleshy, water-storing leaves or stems.
Suffruticose Very low and woody.
Symbiosis Relation of two different species of organisms that is
interdependent.