Florida Plant ID
Glossary of Botanical Terms: O-R
O
Oblanceolate Leaf Shape: The reverse of lanceolate, with the broadest half above the middle and tapering toward the apex. See Figure 15.
Oblate: Spherical, flattened on both ends.
Oblong: Longer than broad, and with the sides nearly parallel. See Figure 16.
Obovate: Inversely ovate, with the broadest half above the middle. See Figure 17.
Odd-pinnately Compound: A compound leaf terminated by a leaflet. See Figure 18.
Opposite Leaf Arrangement: Two leaves at a node, one on the opposite side of the stem from the other. See Figure 19.
Oval Leaf Shape: Broadly elliptical, with the width usually greater than one half of the length. See Figure 20 .
Ovary: Basal portion of the female flower that becomes a fruit.
Ovate Leaf Shape: Egg-shaped, with the broadest half below the middle. See Figure 21.
Ovoid: Shaped like an egg with the attachment at the broad end.
P
Palmate: A pattern where the leaves or leaf veins radiate from one point (as fingers radiate from the palm of a hand).
Panicle: A branched inflorescence where the bottom flowers open first.
Pedicel: The stalk of a single flower in an inflorescence.
Perennial: A plant which lasts for three or more years.
Petal: One of the individual parts of the corolla.
Petiole: Stalk supporting the leaf.
Pinnate: Arranged like a feather. In venation, major veins extend from the midrib to the margin. See Figure 21b .
Pinnately compound: A compound leaf divided into leaflets arranged on opposite sides of the stem.
Pit: The stone of a fruit such as in a plum or cherry.
Pith: Soft, spongy tissue in the center of the stem or roots.
Pods: Dry fruit that opens when mature.
Pome Fruit Type: A fleshy fruit having seed chambers and an outer fleshy part. Ex: apple and pear. See Figure 22.
Prickles: A small, spine-like growth.
Pubescent: Covered with short, soft hairs.
Pyramidal: Shaped like a pyramid, with a broad base and tapered point.
R
Raceme Flower Arrangement: An inflorescence consisting of a central stem bearing a number of pedicelled flowers; the pedicels of nearly equal length. See Figure 23.
Receptacle: The enlarged upper end of the stalk of a flowering plant, on which the flower parts are held.
Revolute Leaf Margin: Rolled backward, or underneath. See Figure 24.
Rhizome: Any prostrate, elongated, stem growing partially or completely beneath the surface of the ground.
Rosette Leaf Arrangement: Arrangement of leaves radiating from a crown or center and usually growing close to the ground. See Figure 25.
