Arboretum Botanical Glossary

Subulate Slender and tapering to a point. Awl-shaped. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Sulcate With longitudinal grooves or furrows. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Superior Attached above. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Sympetalous With petals united, at least near the base. This feature helps explain how flowers are arranged, how pollination happens, or how seeds begin to form.

Taproot A single main root that grows straight down. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread. Did you know? Carrots, beets, and dandelions have taproots that store food and anchor the plant deeply.

Taprooted Having a taproot. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread.

Taxon A unique plant name. This term helps classify plants so they can be identified and discussed clearly.

Tendril A threadlike projection that allows a vine to attach itself to a support Did you know? Pea plants climb by wrapping tendrils around nearby supports.

Tepal A segment of the perianth in which the calyx (sepals) and corolla (petals) are virtually indistinguishable from one another. Did you know? Tulips have tepals because their petals and sepals look nearly identical.

Terminal Occurring at the tip or end. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.