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.
Bract A modified leaf, which is part of a flower cluster, or which surrounds a flower. Did you know? The bright red “petals” of a poinsettia are actually bracts. The true flowers are the tiny yellow structures in the center.
Branchlet A small branch growing from a larger one. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Bud A growth point from which a leaf, stem, or flower can develop Did you know? Tree buds are powerful winter identification clues because each species has distinctive bud shape, color, size, and arrangement.
Bulb An swollen underground plant part, which stores food, usually during a dormant season, composed of scales or leaf bases. Did you know? An onion is a true bulb. Its edible layers are modified leaves that store food for the plant.
Bulbiferous Bearing bulbs. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread.
Bulbil A tiny bulb, usually borne above ground. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread. Did you know? Some lilies and garlic relatives produce bulbils above ground that can fall off and grow into new plants.
The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations