Arboretum Botanical Glossary

A botanical reference guide of morphological terms, plant structures, propagation techniques, and campus flora definitions.

368 Botanical Definitions 10 Categories A–Z Alphabetical Index Illustrated Growth Forms

Browse by Subject Category

Explore terms organized by botanical structure, morphology, and arboricultural concepts.

Environmental

1 terms →

Flower / inflorescence morphology

Petals, sepals, stamens, pistils & inflorescence forms
55 terms →

Fruit / seed morphology

Berries, drupes, pomes, samaras, capsules & seed dispersal
19 terms →

Fungi / mycology

Caps, gills, mycelium, spores & fungal symbiosis
24 terms →

General botanical term

Fundamental terminology, anatomy & vascular systems
162 terms →

Horticulture / propagation

Grafting, cuttings, pruning, cultivation & plant care
1 terms →

Internal

1 terms →

Leaf morphology

Leaf shapes, margins, venation, petioles & arrangements
30 terms →

Plant habit / ecology

Growth forms, silhouettes, life cycles & habitats
14 terms →

Plant habit / life cycle

0 terms →

Site data / measurement

DBH, canopy spread, heights & eco-benefit calculations
15 terms →

Stem / root structures

Bark, buds, lenticels, twigs, nodes & root systems
31 terms →

Taxonomy / naming

Scientific binomials, cultivars, varieties & classification
7 terms →
🌳

Illustrated Growth Forms & Tree Silhouettes

Compare visual architectures: fastigiate, columnar, weeping, spreading, and more.

Fastigiate Columnar Pendulous / Weeping
Try searching:
Letter: Z Showing definitions beginning with this letter.
× Clear letter filter
Showing 1 definitions

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
© 2026 Purdue UniversityAn equal access/equal opportunity universityCopyright ComplaintsMaintained by Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us