Page 22 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Terminology List

Achene - A type of fruit that has a seed-like appearance due the hard case that tightly encloses the single seed
inside. The seeds do not open at maturity. For example, the seeds on strawberries are actually an aggregate of
achenes. Note that a samara (below) is a winged achene.
Acuminate - The tip of the leaf elongates and tapers inwards to a very long, fine point. For example, white
willow and some eucalyptus leaves.
Acute - A general term for any leaf tip or base that is less than a 90° angle.

Adventitious roots - Roots that sprout from elsewhere on the plant, not from the root system. Adventitious
roots may sprout from stem nodes that are touching the ground. For example, strawberries, ivy, and strangler
figs.
Aggregate fruit – A fruit that develops from a single flower with more than one ovary, where the ovaries join
together. Examples are strawberries and raspberries, which are actually a collection of small fruits.
Alternate leaves - The leaves are staggered along the stem or rachis, alternating from the left to right side of
the branch. For example, red alder, beech and sage leaves.
Anther - The enlarged tip or sack at the end of the stamen that produces the pollen. It forms part of the male
reproductive organ of the flower.
Axil - The point where the leaf, stalk or stem meets the branch, on the upper side.
Axillary - A general term used to describe any buds, stalks, leaves and thorns that grow in the axil of a branch.
Basal (leaf) - Leaves that grow from a single point radiating from the base, at ground level, usually arranged
in a rosette. For example, dandelion and thistle leaves.
Biannual - A plant that flowers and fruits twice a year (not common).
Biennial - A plant that takes 2 years to flower, set seed and die. For example, parsley and common mullein.
Bracts - Modified leaves that sit below the flower or inflorescence. They may be a different color, size or even
texture to its regular leaves and flowers. Bougainvillea and poinsettia have enlarged, colorful bracts to attract
pollinators instead of showy flowers.
Bulbils - Small bulbs that form in the axil of a branch that eventually fall to the ground to product a new plant.
These bulbils are a clone of the parent plant. For example, lilies and some agave species.
Bulblets - Smaller, secondary bulbs that form near the underground parent bulb. This is often the primary
mode for vegetative reproduction for many bulb species.
Calyx - A collective term for all of the sepals around the base of each flower. Sometimes the sepals are fused
into a calyx. The calyx is often green but may be a variety of colors.
Carpel - The female reproductive organ that contains the ovary, style, and stigma. Otherwise referred to as a
pistil.
Catkins - Flowers that have an inflorescence either without petals or with inconspicuous ones. Catkins are
made up of unisexual flowers. For example, alder, willow, beech, and birch tree flowers.
Cladodes - Leaf-like structures that are modified, flattened branches that photosynthesize. The shape varies
greatly; thick and broad, thin blades or small scales. For example, prickly pear, butchers’ broom, and asparagus
shoots.
Clasping (leaf attachment) - The leaf attaches directly to the stem and wraps around it slightly to clasp it. For
example, sow thistle stem leaves.
Compound flower - Multiple flowers or florets are arranged into an inflorescence. The structure of the com-
pound flower may be in a spike, a raceme, a cyme, an umbel, a panicle or a catkin.
Compound leaf - The leaf is divided into smaller leaflets that are attached via a modified stem called a rachis.
For example, clover, Oregon grape, ferns, acacia and ash tree leaves.
Cordate base - The base of the leaf is heart shaped. For example, violet and cottonwood leaves.
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