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.
Taproot A single main root that grows straight down. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread. Did you know? Carrots, beets, and dandelions have taproots that store food and anchor the plant deeply.
Taprooted Having a taproot. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread.
Taxon A unique plant name. This term helps classify plants so they can be identified and discussed clearly.
Tendril A threadlike projection that allows a vine to attach itself to a support Did you know? Pea plants climb by wrapping tendrils around nearby supports.
Tepal A segment of the perianth in which the calyx (sepals) and corolla (petals) are virtually indistinguishable from one another. Did you know? Tulips have tepals because their petals and sepals look nearly identical.
Terminal Occurring at the tip or end. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Ternate In groups of three. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Tetragonal Having a 4-sided cross section. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Thyrse A compact, cylindrical or ovate panicle with an independent main axis and cymose subaxes
Thyrsoid Thyrse-like. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations