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GLOSSARY

Here's a plant science terminology glossary to help you with your horticulture and propagation knowledge as you browse the site. 'Find out more' will direct you to other posts on the site that also mention that topic. 

Aftercare

Any follow-up care that is given to a plant or propagule following a process such as cutting, transplanting or grafting.

Basal Cuttings

Cuttings taken from the base of a shrubby plants that sends out new stems from a crown. These are preferred for some species as they are easier to root.

Chaff

The dried husks of seeds (or any non-seed organic matter collected while collecting seeds), which are typically removed by winnowing or threshing.

Culm

The hollow stem of a grass or other monocot plant

Dehiscence

(of a pod or fruit) Splitting open along specific lines at maturity/ripeness

Dicot

A shortened form of the word Dicotyledonous - these are flowering plants like legumes which may be woody or herbaceous and bear two seed leaves.

Ecology

The relationship between all living things and their environments

Elaiosome

A fleshy structure attached to the seeds of some species which is rich in fats and sugars. In some plants this helps attract insects which aid in seed dispersal.

Ex-situ conservation

Conserving plant species in gardens

Fenestrate leaves

A morphological feature occurring in some species of succulent plants, characterised by having small transparent sections on the upper surface of the leaf.

Herbaceous

Plants with no persistent woody growth above the ground.

In-situ conservation

Conserving plant species in their original locality

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