alternate leaves - adjacent leaves arranged on alternating sides of stem, not opposing.
annual - a plant that flowers, sets seed, and dies within one year.
basal rosette - a low cluster of leaves; a growth habit typical of biennials in the first year.
biennial - a plant that lives for two years, producing flowers and seed the second year.
blade - a linear, parallel-veined leaf, typical of a grass.
brace roots - supporting roots that sprout from the base of stems.
bracts - modified leaves that may encircle or envelope flowers; bracts may be colored resembling petals, or may be green and scalelike.
compound leaf - a leaf divided into leaflets, but considered one unit.
fibrous roots - a fine, branched root system with many root hairs and lateral roots, lacking a taproot.
glabrous - hairless.
inflorescence - a floral structure.
lanceolate - long, spear or lance-shaped.
leaf margins - leaf edges.
leaflet - individual leaflike portions of a compound leaf; e.g., a rose leaf may have 3, 5 or 7 leaflets.
midvein - the middle vein running through the center of a leaf.
node - the portion of stem where the leaves are attached.
opposite leaves - leaves arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the stem.
panicle - a branched floral structure.
pappus - a cluster of seeds with tiny tufts of "hair" attached (e.g., dandelion)
perennial - a plant that may live many years, growing each year from stored energy reserves in roots or woody structures.
petiole - the stem-like structure attaching a leaf to the branch.
pinnately compound leaf - leaflets arranged along a single axis much like a feather.
pubescent - covered with small hairs
rhizomes - underground, creeping stems; capable of forming new plants.
simple - A leaf lacking any subdivisions (leaflets). The opposite of compound.
spike - a long slender floral structure with individual flowers directly attached to the stalk.
stipules - leaflike structures attached at the base of the leaf.
taproot - a single, thick, fleshy root. (e.g. carrot).
terminal - located at the top
umbel - a branched floral structure resembling an (upside-down) umbrella.
whorled leaves - three or more leaves arising from a single node.