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

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

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Illustrated Growth Forms & Tree Silhouettes

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

Fastigiate Columnar Pendulous / Weeping
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Synonyms: Families

Family A rank in the scientific classification of plants that groups together related genera sharing key characteristics—often in the structure of their flowers, fruits, or seeds. For example, the rose family (Rosaceae) includes not only roses but also apples, cherries, and hawthorns. Recognizing a plant's family is often the first step in identifying it and understanding how it relates to other plants.

Synonyms: Fascicles

Fascicle A tight bundle. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification. Did you know? Counting needles per fascicle helps identify pines: eastern white pine has five; red pine has two.

Synonyms: Fastigiates

Fastigiate Having close, erect, almost parallel branches that give a narrow, columnar, or spire-like appearance . This term helps explain how a plant grows, survives, spreads, or fits into its habitat. Did you know? Fastigiate trees are useful in narrow spaces because they grow upright and column-like rather than spreading wide.

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