Glossary: General botanical term

Abortive Only partially developed. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Abrupt Ending suddenly (or appearing suddenly). This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Abscissing Separating from its point of attachment. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification. Did you know? Autumn leaf drop is controlled abscission. Trees form a clean separation layer at the base of each leaf stalk before the leaf falls.

Accumbent Lying against another organ. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Acerose Needle-shaped, as in the leaves of pine or spruce. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification. Did you know? Needle-like leaves help conifers conserve water through winter, when frozen soil can make it hard for roots to replace lost moisture.

Acicular Needle shaped. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Acuminate Having a tapering point. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification. Did you know? Many rainforest leaves have acuminate “drip tips” that shed water quickly, helping reduce fungal growth on constantly wet leaf surfaces.

Acute Cut at a sharp angle. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Apex The tip or end. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Araneose Having long, entangled hairs. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.