Purdue Arboretum botanical terminology reference and learning database.
Angiosperm A plant that has its seeds encased in an ovary. All flowering plants belong to this group. Did you know? Nearly all fruits, vegetables, grains, and flowering ornamentals come from angiosperms, the flowering plants.
Anthesis The period when a flower is fully expanded and functioning.
Apetalous Without petals. This feature helps explain how flowers are arranged, how pollination happens, or how seeds begin to form. Did you know? Many wind-pollinated trees have apetalous flowers because they do not need showy petals to attract insects.
The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations