The Phenology Handbook - USA National Phenology Network

Scorpioid cyme
Essentially a raceme inflorescence that is coiled. Flowering begins with the lowest
flowers on the stem and progresses upward as the inflorescence uncoils to an erect
spike-like structure. The open flowers are typically found at the apex of the coil.
Catkin
Catkins are hanging spikes, typically found on trees.
HABIT
The habit of a plant is its characteristic appearance and growth form. Plant habits that are common to the
temperate zone include:
• Herbaceous – A non-woody flowering plant that can be annual, biennial, or perennial; the stems
remain flexible and relatively soft. Examples in the Santa Barbara region include wildflowers such
as Lupine and California Poppy, grasses, and many culinary herbs such as cilantro, parsley, and
basil.
• Forb – herbaceous flowering plants, excluding grasses. Typically used when referring to wildflowers.
We use this term in the Phenophase Quick-Guide.
• Shrub – A woody perennial plant, typically with multiple main stems. Shrubs can be evergreen or
deciduous, and height is commonly 3m. Common
examples in the Santa Barbara area include Eucalyptus, oaks, Sycamore, California Bay, and
pines.
The habit of your targeted plant will have a strong effect on how you record its leafing and flowering
phenophases. In forbs, the very first appearance of the phenophase (e.g., first flower or leaf) marks the
onset of a given phenophase, just as you’d expect. In shrubs and trees, however, we must accomodate
their vastly larger size and number of branches. Consequently, the onset of a given phenophase in shrubs
and trees is marked by the appearance of the phenophase in three different locations (branches for leafing
phases, inflorescences for flowering phases) before we record it. Once you identify the habit of your
targeted species, simply find the appropriate cell in the Quick-Guide to find the quick definition of each
leafing or flowering phenophase.
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