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.
Pappus A structure consisting of feather-like bristles or hairs attached to seeds (most often of the Aster family - Asteracea or Compositae) to help them disperse by means of wind. Did you know? The fluffy pappus on a dandelion cypsela acts like a parachute and can carry the fruit long distances on wind.
Parisitic Obtaining at least part of its nourishment or water from a host organism. This often occurs among fungi - Example: Armillaria mellea (also called the honey mushroom or oak root rot fungus).
Parthenocarpic Producing fruits without fertilization. This feature is connected to how seeds are protected, nourished, or moved away from the parent plant. Did you know? Seedless bananas and many seedless grapes are parthenocarpic fruits that develop without fertile seeds.
Pedicel The stalk of a flower. This feature helps explain how flowers are arranged, how pollination happens, or how seeds begin to form.
Peduncle The stem that holds up a flower, a group of flowers, or a fruit. It connects these structures to the plant and provides support as they grow. Did You Know? In some plants, such as sunflowers and apples, the peduncle can be quite sturdy because it must support the weight of large flower heads or developing fruits. Did you know? A sunflower peduncle supports…
Peltate Shaped like a disc, with the point of attachment near the center.
Pendent Drooping down, pendulous. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Perfoliate Describes a leaf that completely surrounds the stem. Botanists use this feature to describe leaf shape, surface, edge, or arrangement, which helps with plant identification.
Pericarp The outer wall (skin) of a fruit. This feature is connected to how seeds are protected, nourished, or moved away from the parent plant. Did you know? The peel, flesh, and inner shell of many fruits are layers of the pericarp — the ripened ovary wall.
Persistent Remaining attached, not dropping off. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations