Encyclopedian Dictionary: 2013

Reniform

Pronunciation key ( ren′i-fôrm′ ) ( rē′ni-fôrm′ ) Reniform leaf ren•i•form adj. [Mod. L. reniformis; see RENI- & -FORM]. Shaped like a kidney. Kidney-shaped leaf References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Chart of Leaf Sha...

Orbicular

Pronunciation key ( ôr-bik′yoo-lẽr ) or•bic•u•lar Orbicular leaf adj. [ME. orbiculer; LL. orbicularis < orbiculus. dim of orbis, a circle]. Having the shape of an orb; spherical or circular. In botany, flat and round such as some types of leaves. Orbicular leaf References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees,...

Oblong

Pronunciation key ( ob′lôŋ ) ob•long Oblong leaf adj. [ME. oblonge; L. oblongus, rather long; ob (see OB) + longus, long]. Longer than broad; elongated; specifically rectangular and longer in one direction than the other or, elliptical. n. An oblong figure; anything oblong in form. Abbreviated as obl. Oblong leaf References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language...

Obcordate

Pronunciation key ( ob′kôr′dāt ) ob•cor•date Obcordate leaf adj. [ob- + cordate]. In botany, heart-shaped and joined to the stem at the apex: said of certain leaves. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Chart of Leaf Sha...

Falcate

Pronunciation key ( fal′kāt ) fal•cate Falcate Leaf adj. [L. < falcatus < falx, falcis, a sickle]. sickle-shaped; curved; hooked: as a falcate leaf. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Chart of Leaf Sha...

Elliptic or Elliptical

Pronunciation key ( i-lip′ti-kʼl ) ( ə-lip′ti-kʼl ) el•lip•tic (i-lip′tik) (ə-lip′tik) adj. elliptical. el•lip•ti•cal Elliptical adj. [Gr. eilleiptikos (see ELLIPSE); + -al]. Having shape of an ellipse as some forms of leaves. Characterized by an ellipsis; with a word or words omitted. Elliptic Leaf References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College...

Cordate

Pronunciation key ( kôr′dāt ) cor•date Cordate Leaf adj. [L. cordatus < cor, cordis, heart]. heart-shaped, as with some leaves. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Chart of Leaf Sha...

Acute

Pronunciation key ( ə-kūt′ ) a•cute Acute Leaf Tip adj. [L. < acutus pp. of acuere, to sharpen; cf. ACUITY]. having a sharp point. keen or of quick-mindedness; shrewd. sensitive to impression. sharp pain. severe jealousy. severe but of a brief duration; not chronic: said of some diseases. crucial; critical. high pitch; shrill. in geometry, measuring below a 90° angle. Syn. - acute suggests...

Acicular

Pronunciation key ( ə-sik′yoo-lẽr ) acicular Acicular adj. [L. dim acus a pin, needle]. like an acicula. bristly, spiny, needlelike. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2...

Stipule

Pronunciation key ( stip′ūl ) stip•ule n. Stipulate [Fr.; Mod. L. stipula L. stipula]. A stalk, straw, dim of stipes, trunk. One of two small leaflike parts at the base of some leafstalks or leaf petioles. References and Further Reading Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology...

Sheathing

Pronunciation key ( shēth′iŋ ) sheath•ing n. Sheathing [ME. schethe AS. sceath; akin to G. scheide; IE. base * sqēi-, to cut split, divide; the earliest form of sheath was probably a stick]. Act of placing something in or, encasing with a sheath. Something that sheathes or encases. A covering, casing, specifically, the inner covering of boards or waterproof material on the roof or outside...

Amplexicaul

Pronunciation key ( am-plek′si-kôl′ ) am•plex•i•caul Ampexicaul adj. [L. amplexus pp. of amplectari, to twine around + caulis stem]. in botany, clasping or encircling a stem, as the base of some leaves. Amplexicaul LeafCorn Stalk References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology...

Spiny

Pronunciation key ( spīn′i ) spin•y adj. Spiny [SPINIER (-i-ẽr), SPINIEST (-i-ist)] [< WORD < ORIGIN]. covered with spines. Thorny, or prickly. filled with obstacles; troublesome; thorny. spine-shaped. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Leaf...

Sinuate

Pronunciation key ( sin′ū-it ) sin•u•ate [also, and for v. always, sin′ūāt′] adj. Sinuate [L. sinuatus pp. of sinuare, to bend < sinus, a bend]. bending or winding in and out; wavy; sinous. in botany, having a wavy margin margin, as some leaves. v.i. [SINUATED (-id), SINUATING] to bend or wind in and out; be sinuous or wavy. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American...

Serrulate

Pronunciation key ( ser′oo-lāt′ ) ( ser′yoo-lit ) ser•ru•late adj. Serrulate [< L. serrula, dim. of serra, a saw; + ate]. having small, fine teeth or notches along the edge; finely serrate. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Leaf Margins Ch...

Incised

Pronunciation key ( in-sīzd′ ) in•cised adj. Incised [pp. of incise]. cut into. engraved or carved. having edges deeply notched as in certain types of leaves. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Leaf Margin Ch...

Ciliate

Pronunciation key ( sil′i-it ) ( sil′i-āt′ ) cil•i•ate adj. Ciliate in botany and zoology, organisms which possess cilia. n. any of a class of microscopic protozoans characterized by the presence of cilia on the body. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology...

Truncate

Pronunciation key ( truŋ′kāt ) trun•cate Truncate leaf v.t. [TRUNCATED (-id), TRUNCATING] [L. truncatus, pp. of truncare, to cut off < truncus, a stem, trunk]. to cut off a part of; shorten by cutting; lop off. Truncate leaf tip adj. truncated. in botany and zoology, having a square or broad end. References and Further Reading Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language...

Mucronate

Pronunciation key ( mū′krə-nit ) ( mū′krə-nāt ) Mucronate leaf mu•cro•nate adj. [L. mucronatus]. ending in a mucro or sharp point. Mucronate leaf tip References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Leaf Tip Type Ch...

Apiculate

Pronunciation key ( ə-pik′yoo-lit ) ( ə-pik′yoo-lāt′ ) a•pic•u•late adj. Apiculate leaf [LL. apiculatus, apiculus dim. of L. apex, point]. in botany, ending abruptly in a small point as in some leaves. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees, Edited by Steve Cafferty M.Sc. ©2005 Zoology Quest: Leaf Tip Type...

Acuminate

Pronunciation key ( ə-kū′mi-nit ) a•cu•mi•nate Acuminate leaf adj. [L. acuminatus pp. of acuminare, to sharpen]. pointed; tapering to a point such as in an acuminate leaf. v.t. (ə-kū′mi-nāt′), [ACUMINATED (-id), ACUMENATING] to sharpen. Acuminate leaf tip References and Further Reading Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Firefly Encyclopedia...

Geaster triplex ( Geastraceae ) Triplex Earthstar

Geaster triplex Based on the classification system listed (here) for Geaster triplex, the closest classification listed as valid on itis.gov is Geastraceae. Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Fungi – champignons, Fungo, fungi Division Basidiomycota – basidio's, basidiomycetes, club fungi Class Basidiomycetes Order Lycoperdales Family Geastraceae Geastraceae, Taxonomic Serial No.: 623892 References...

Batrachospermum moniliforme

Batrachospermum moniliforme Taxonomic Hierarchy Batrachospermum moniliforme Kingdom Plantae – Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Biliphyta Division Rhodophyta – red algae Subdivision Rhodophytina Class Florideophyceae Order Batrachospermales Family Batrachospermaceae Genus Batrachospermum A. W. Roth, 1797 Species Batrachospermum moniliforme Batrachospermum moniliforme, Taxonomic...

Merismopedia elegans

Merismopedia elegans Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Monera – monerans Phylum Cyanophycota – blue-green algae, cyanophytes Class Cyanophyceae Order Chroococcales Family Chroococcaceae Genus Merismopedia Meyen, 1839 Species Merismopedia elegans A. Br. In Kutz, 1849 Merismopedia elegans, A. Br. In Kutz, 1849, Taxonomic Serial No.: 732 References A Golden Guide: Non-Flowering Plants...

Oscillatoria limosa

Oscillatoria limosa Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Monera – monerans Phylum Cyanophycota – blue-green algae, cyanophytes Class Cyanophyceae Order Nostocales Family Oscillatoriaceae Genus Oscillatoria Vaucher Ex Gomont, 1893 Species Oscillatoria limosa (Roth) C. Agardh Oscillatoria limosa, (Roth) C. Agardh, Taxonomic Serial No.: 976 References A Golden Guide: Non-Flowering Plants...

Chroococcus

Chroococcus Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Monera – monerans Phylum Cyanophycota – blue-green algae, cyanophytes Class Cyanophyceae Order Chroococcales Family Chroococcaceae Genus Chroococcus Nageli, 1849 Chroococcus, Nageli, 1849, Taxonomic Serial No.: 654 References A Golden Guide: Non-Flowering Plants ©1...

Mermaid's Hair ( Lyngbya majuscula )

Mermaid's Hair Taxonomic Hierarchy Mermaid's Hair ( Lyngbya majuscula ) Kingdom Monera – monerans Phylum Cyanophycota – blue-green algae, cyanophytes Class Cyanophyceae Order Nostocales Family Oscillatoriaceae Genus Lyngbya Agardh Ex Gomont, 1892 Species Lyngbya majuscula Lyngbya majuscula, Taxonomic Serial No.: 877 References A Golden Guide: Non-Flowering Plants ©1...

Blue Green Algae ( Cyanophycota )

Mermaid's Hair ( Lyngbya majuscula ) Common in shallow salt water and often covering rocks. Cyanophycota Species in this group are distributed widely in both salt and freshwater forms. Most species are covered by a gelatinous sheath which enables them to live in close vicinity to hot springs, in polluted water or on moist tile and soil. During the summer some species increase in abundance they...

Zygote

Pronunciation key ( zī′gōt ) ( zi′gōt ) zy•gote n. [< Gr. zygōtos yoked < zygon a yoke]. A cell formed by the union of two gametes. Some cells develop large eggs while other forms develop sperm that swim to an egg and fertilize it, forming a zygote. Such an example is the species Oedogonium (above). References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College...

Oedogonium

Oedogonium Some cells develop large eggs while other forms develop sperm that swim to an egg and fertilize it, forming a zygote. Such an example is the species Oedogonium (above). Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Plantae – Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants Infrakingdom Chlorophyta – green algae Division Chlorophyta – green algae Subdivision Chlorophytina Class Chlorophyceae Order Oedogoniales Family Oedogoniaceae Genus Oedogonium...

Ulothrix

Ulothrix The parent cell becomes modified, ruptures and zoospores are released as in the species Ulothrix, (above). Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Plantae – Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants Infrakingdom Chlorophyta – green algae Division Chlorophyta – green algae Subdivision Chlorophytina Class Ulvophyceae Order Ulotrichales Family Ulotrichaceae Genus Ulothrix...

Phylum

Pronunciation key ( fī′ləm ) phy•lum n. pl. •la (-lə) [<NL < Gk. phylon a race, tribe < phyein produce, ] Biology. Great division of life forms, i.e., plants, animals, et cetera which rank next, below the major kingdom and above a class of which the members are believed to have a common ancestor. Any of the broad, basic divisions of plant, animal, et cetera classifications. Any of the broad, basic divisions of the linguistic families. References Webster's New World Dictionary...

ewe

Pronunciation key ( ū ) ewe n. [ME. ewe also yowe; AS. eowu fem. of eow sheep; akin to G. au- in aulamm ewe lamb; IE.. base *owi-s, sheep, as also in L. ovis]. The female of sheep. Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animals Phylum Chordata – chordates Subphylum Vertebrata – vertebrates Class Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758 – mammals Subclass Theria Parker and Haswell,...

estuary

Pronunciation key ( es′ch-er′i ) es•tu•ar•y n. [pl. ESTUARIES (-iz)] [L. aestuarium < aestus the tide]. An arm or inlet of the ocean. A wide mouth of a river where the tide meets the current. Abbreviated as est. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955 Coastal Hypoxia Research Program (CHRP 2005): Watershed-Estuary-Species Nutrient...

élan vital

Pronunciation key ( ā′län′ vē′tl′ ) é•lan vi•tal [Fr. lit., vital force]. According to Bergsonian philosophy, it is the original life force, a creative linking principal in the evolution of all organisms. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

Ascomycetes

Ascomycetes This classification has since been invalidated. The current classification is Ascomycota, Taxonomic Serial No.: 610624 "Terrestrial and aquatic fungi with the hyphae septate but the septa perforated; complete septa cut off the reproductive bodies, such as spores or gametangia. Chitin is predominant in the cell walls. Sexual reproduction involves the formation of a characteristic cell, the ascus, in which meiosis takes place and within which spores are formed. The hyphae in many ascomycetes...

Zygomycetes

Zygomycetes "Terrestrial fungi with the hyphae septate only during the formation of reproductive bodies; chitin predominant in the cell walls. The class includes several hundred species." Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 References Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1...

Oomycetes

Oomycetes "Mostly aquatic fungi with motile cells characteristic of certain stages of the life cycle, their cell walls are composed of glucose polymers including cellulose. There are several hundred species." Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 References Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©19...

Protostelidomycetes

Protostelidomycetes "In this recently discovered group, the amoebas may remain separate or mass, but each one eventually differentiates into a simple stalked sporangium with one or two spores at its apex. Five genera and more than a dozen species." Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 References Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1...

Acrasiomycetes

Acrasiomycetes "Cellular slime molds. Slime molds in which there are separate amoebas which eventually swarm together to form a mass but retain their identity within this mass, which eventually differentiates into a compound sporangium. Seven genera and about 26 species." Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Fungi – fungi Division Myxomycota – slime molds Class Acrasiomycetes...

Myxomycetes

Myxomycetes "The plasmodial slime molds. Slime molds with multinucleate plasmodium which creeps along as a mass and eventually differentiates into sporangia, each of which is multinucleate and eventually gives rise to many spores. About 450 species." Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Fungi – fungi Division Myxomycota – slime molds Class Myxomycetes – acellular slime molds,...

Gymnomycota

Gymnomycota "The slime molds. Heterotrophic amoeboid organisms that mostly lack a cell wall but form sporangia at some stage in their life cycle. Predominant mode of nutrition is by ingestion. There are three orders Class Myxomycetes Class Acrasiomycetes Class Protostelidomycetes Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 References Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter...