A botanical reference guide of morphological terms, plant structures, propagation techniques, and campus flora definitions.
Explore terms organized by botanical structure, morphology, and arboricultural concepts.
Nectar A sugary, sticky fluid secreted by many plants. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification. Did you know? Honey begins as flower nectar collected by bees and concentrated inside the hive.
Nerve A slender rib or vein, especially if unbranched. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Node A point on a stem where leaves are or were attached Did you know? Plant cuttings root best when a node is included because nodes contain active growth tissue.
Nut A dry, 1-celled, 1-seeded fruit that does not split open on its own, having a hard and bony shell, sometimes with a fibrous or slightly fleshy outer covering. Did you know? Peanuts are legumes and almonds are seeds inside drupes; true botanical nuts include acorns, hazelnuts, and chestnuts.
Nutlet A small nut; one of the lobes or sections of the mature ovary of some members of Boraginaceae, Verbenaceae and Labiatae (Laminaceae)
The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations