Arboretum Botanical Glossary

Connate A joining together of similar parts. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Connivent Converging, but not fused or joined. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Contractile Capable of contracting or shrinking. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Convex A surface that is curved outward. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Convolute Arranged in a circular pattern, with parts partially overlapping. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.

Cordate Having a heart-shaped outline. Botanists use this feature to describe leaf shape, surface, edge, or arrangement, which helps with plant identification. Did you know? Redbud leaves are a familiar example of cordate leaves, with a heart-shaped outline.

Coriaceous Having a leathery texture. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification. Did you know? Leathery leaves, such as magnolia or holly leaves, help reduce water loss and resist winter damage.

Corm A swollen underground bulblike structure - but actually part of a stem. Did you know? A corm is solid inside, unlike a bulb. Crocus and gladiolus grow from corms.

Corolla The petals of a flower, collectively. This feature helps explain how flowers are arranged, how pollination happens, or how seeds begin to form.

Corona Petal-like or crown-like structures between the petals and stamens of some flowers.