adrenal cortex
the outer portion of the adrenal gland that produces anti-inflammatory agents. |
aldehyde
abbreviation of alcohol dehydrogenatum (dehydrogenated alcohol), meaning compounds containing the -CO radical attached to a hydrocarbon free radical and a hydrogen atom. |
alkaloids
colourless, bitter and often toxic organic bases found in seed plants as a defense against herbivores and insects. |
alum
a potassium aluminum sulfate or ammonium aluminum sulfate used as an astringent or as an emetic. |
analgesic
a drug that relieves pain without loss of consciousness. |
antibiotic
a substance derived from either a micro-organism or a semi-synthetic substance, able to inhibit or kill another micro-organism. |
antiseptic
an agent which destroys or prevents the growth of bacteria. |
antispasmodic
that which prevents or relieves convulsions or spasms. |
apomictic
produced or reproduced by apomixis. |
apomixis
any form of asexual reproduction, in particular reproduction by seeds produced without sexual fusion. |
arthropod
used to describe any member of the invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda. These usually have a segmented body, jointed appendages and a chitinous exoskeleton, e.g. crustaceans, insects, or spiders. |
astringent
that which constricts or contracts soft organic tissues. |
atabrine
trademark used for used for quinacrine, an antimalarial drug derived from acridine. |
biennial
a plant that grows vegetatively in its first year of life, and that then flowers, fruits and dies in its second year. |
biosynthesis
the production of complex molecules by a living organism. |
bitter resin
natural resins are chiefly plant or tree secretions that have a glassy appearance with a slightly yellow to brown colouring. 'Bitter resins' are medicinal resins. |
bouquet garni
a herb mixture that is cooked with a dish but removed before serving, usually either tied together or enclosed in a porous container. |
bract
a leaf, often modified or reduced, growing from the axil of which a flower or an inflorescence arises. |
bush
a densely-branched, low shrub. |
carbohydrate
various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, most of which are formed by plants to produce a major class of food for animals. |
carminative
relieving gastric flatulence. |
catalytic cracking
the breaking down of heavy hydrocarbons of crude petroleum using a catalyst of silica or aluminum gel. |
cellulose
a polysaccharide of glucose units that forms plant cell walls. |
centifolia
a class of roses hybridized by the Dutch to contain more than one hundred petals, sometimes referred to as 'cabbage roses'. |
chromosome
a DNA-containing body which contains most of an individual's genes, found in viruses, prokaryotic organisms and the cell nucleus of eukaryotic organisms. |
cinchonidine
an antimalarial alkaloid. |
cinchonine
an antimalarial alkaloid. |
cloning
the production of organisms, cells or micro-organisms from a single parent by asexual means. |
crystallisation
the slow formation of a crystal from solution or melt. |
cultigen
a domestic or cultivated organism of a species or variety whose wild ancestor is unknown. |
cultivar
an assemblage of cultivated plants clearly distinguished by specific characters that originate and persist under cultivation. |
cuticle
layer of cutin found in some plant cell walls to reduce water loss, as well as restrict entry of carbon dioxide. |
cyanogenetic glucosides
a combination of poisonous cyanide and sugars found in plant pits or foliage. |
decortication
the removal of the outer coverings, such as bark or husks, from fiber or seed. |
dehiscence
the spontaneous split at maturity of a reproductive body to release enclosed seeds or spore. |
dioecious
having male reproductive organs in one individual, and female reproductive organs in another. |
diploid
an organism with two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. |
distichous
the arrangement of leaves on a stem in two diametrically opposite rows. |
drill
can mean:
(1) a heavy, durable, woven, twilled cotton fabric, or
(2) an implement used for sowing crop seed. |
espalier
a plant trained to grow flat against a wall. |
essential oil
volatile oils that provide plants with their characteristic odours, often used in flavourings and perfumes. |
expectorant
that which promotes the coughing up of mucous from the respiratory tract. |
family
a group of genera taxonomically ordered according to related forms above genus, but below order. |
febrifuge
that which reduces fever. |
ferruginous
that which either contains iron, or resembles the colour of iron rust. |
fines herbes
a mixture of herbs used for garnishing or seasoning a dish. |
flavonoids
a group of aromatic compounds that includes common pigments; for example anthocyanins, which are the soluble glycoside pigments that produce red and blue colouring in plants. |
gallic acid
an acid found in tannins, used in dyes and as photographic developer. |
gallotannin
a synonym of tannic acid, which occurs in many trees as a colourless amorphic mass with a bitter taste and astringent properties. |
galls
the abnormal localised swelling or outgrowth on a plant following an attack by a pest or parasite. |
gelatine
a colourless, odourless and tasteless glue obtained from boiling animal tissues, used in food, photographic films and glue. |
genetic variation
the variation between individual organisms in a population due to genetic differences. |
genome
the entire genetic material of an organism. |
genus
a group of species taxonomically ordered according to related forms above species, but below family. |
germination
the growth in a seed, spore or zygote, particularly after a dormant period. |
glycoside
any compound containing a carbohydrate molecule that can be converted into a sugar and nonsugar by hydrolytic cleavage. |
haploid
having half the number of chromosomes characteristic of somatic cells. |
heeled cuttings
stem cuttings taken from new shoots with a small portion of the old shoot. |
hexaploid
having six times the number of chromosomes characteristic of somatic cells. |
homeotic
relating to a gene that produces a major shift in structural development. |
humidity
the degree of wetness, in particular that of the atmosphere. |
humus
a black or dark brown material forming the organic portion of the soil, usually a mixture based on partial decomposition of animal and plant matter. |
hybrid
the offsrping of a cross between two different species, races, varieties or strains. |
hydrolysable
that which can undergo hydrolysis, a chemical process that splits a molecular bond to add the hydrogen cation and hydroxide anion of water. |
incense
the odour from some gums and spices when burned. |
inflorescence
a discrete group of flowers on an individual plant. |
infusion
the steeping in liquid, such as water, without boiling to extract the soluble constituents. |
laterite
a residual clay produced by igneous rock decay under tropical climates, red in color and rich with iron oxides and aluminum hydroxide. |
lignin
a constituent of most plant secondary wall cells to make them more rigid, waterproof and resistant to pathogen attack. |
lincrusta
a thick, embossed wallpaper. |
loess
an unstratified, buff- to yellow-brown, loamy clay originating in arid regions and transported by the wind. |
linolenic acid
a liquid, unsaturated fatty acid essential for the nutrition of some animals, found especially in drying oils such as linseed oil. |
menthol
a crystalline alcohol that has the odor and cooling properties of peppermint, found especially in mint oils. |
meristem
a formative plant tissue specialised in dividing indefinitely to give rise to new cells that then differentiate into definitive tissues and organs. |
mesocarp
the middle layer of a fruit's wall. |
molasses
a thick, brown syrup that is separated from raw sugar in sugar manufacture, or from boiling down sweet vegetable or fruit juice. |
monogerm form
producing a fruit that gives rise to a single plant, rather than a group of seedlings. |
montane
relating to the zone of relatively cool, moist upland slopes dominated by large coniferous trees below the timberline. |
oestrogenic substances
substances containing oestrogen, a group of sex hormones inducing the period of sexual excitement in female mammals. |
oleic acid
a monounsaturated fatty acid found in natural fats and oils, which oxidise readily when exposed to air. |
ornamental
a plant cultivated for its visual beauty rather than its usefulness. |
parthenocarpy
the production of fruit without fertilisation, either spontaneously or by artificial hormonal induction. |
peduncle
the stalk of an inflorescence, bearing flowers or fruit. |
pentaploid
having five times the number of chromosomes characteristic of somatic cells. |
perennial
a plant that lives more than two years. |
piperitone
a colourless oil with a peppermint odour. |
ploidy
the degree of repetition of the number of chromosomes of somatic cells. |
polystichous
any part of a plant arranged in several rows. |
poultice
a soft, heated and sometimes medicated mass spread on cloth and applied to sores. |
propagation
the horticultural reproduction of plants by sexual or asexual means. |
prophylactic
anything that prevents or guards from infectious disease. |
quinquina
a drink that contains quinine, a bitter agent with antimalarial properties. |
resin
a flammable organic substance obtained from plant or tree secretions, and used for varnishes, printing inks, plastics and medicines. |
ricin
a poisonous protein found in castor beans. |
saponin
steroid vegetable glycosides that are characterized by the property of producing a soapy lather toxic to many animals. |
scandent
a climbing mode of growth in plants. |
scion
a detached, living piece of a plant inserted into the stock to provide the aerial parts when a graft is made in horticulture. |
section
a taxonomic group, usually a subdivision of a genus. |
species
a group of individuals taxonomically ordered according to common attributes and designated by a common name. |
standard
can mean:
(1) a herb or shrub grown with an erect main stem to resemble a tree in form,
(2) a fruit tree grafted on a stock that will not induce dwarfing,
(3) the large upper petal of a legume flower, or
(4) one of the three incurved petals of an iris flower. |
sterile
incapable of producing offspring, fruit or spores. |
styptic
that which contracts or binds bleeding. |
succulent
a plant whose stems and leaves have a high water content to prevent dehydration in arid environments. |
sucrose
a sweet, crystalline sugar naturally occurring in many plants, especially in sugarcane or sugar beets. |
tallow oil
an oil obtained from pressing tallow (suet), and used as a lubricant. |
tannin
a colourless, amorphic substance found in many trees with a bitter taste and astringent properties used for tanning, dyeing, making of ink and medicine. |
tawed
a skin dressed by a dry process, usually with salt or alum. |
tetraploid
having four times the number of chromosomes characteristic of somatic cells. |
thymol
an aromatic phenol with antiseptic properties found especially in thyme oil, or synthesised for use as a preservative or fungicide. |
tillering
to produce stalks from the base or the lower axils of a plant. |
tonic
can mean:
(1) a drug that restores and stimulates health,
(2) a preparation for hair or scalp, or
(3) a flavoured, carbonated drink. |
triploid
having three times the number of chromosomes characteristic of somatic cells. |
tuberous
a plant with a short, fleshy underground stem (tuber) that acts as both storage or has the potential to produce a new plant. |
vegetative propagation
the horticultural reproduction of plants by asexual means. |
volatile oil
an oil that changes readily to vapour. |
woody plant
a plant that undergoes secondary growth which results in wood and bark, as opposed to herbaceous plants that have no persistent woody tissues. |
zein
an Indian corn protein used to make adhesives, coatings, plastics, printing inks and plastics. |
