Page 25 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Perianth - The collective term for all of the petals (corolla) and sepals (calyx) of a flower. For example, an open-
ing rose bud only has its perianth on display.

Perulate (buds) - New buds that are protected by scales or modified leaves along the stem or branch.
Petal - Usually the showy, colorful part of the flower. The petals help to attract pollinators. All of the individual
petals make up the corolla.

Petiole - Another name for the leaf stalk. The petiole attaches the leaf to the stem and allows the leaf to twist
towards the sun.
Pinnate leaves - A type of compound leaf. Smaller leaves or leaflets are closely arranged along a central leaf
stalk called a rachis. For example, locusts, acacia, and fern leaves.
Pinnatifid - A leaf that is heavily divided, but not all the way down to the leaf midrib or central vein. For exam-
ple, netted chain fern and resurrection fern.
Pistil - Otherwise referred to as the carpel or fused carpels, the pistil contains all of the female reproductive
organs, including the ovary, style, and stigma.
Pistillate (flowers) - Flowers that only contain the female reproductive organs (the opposite of staminate
flowers). For example, ginkgo, willow, holly, oak, cottonwood, and wild grape flowers.
Pollen tube - When male pollen lands on the female stigma, a tube is formed inside the style to transport the
pollen down to the ovaries for fertilization.

Raceme - Multiple flowers or florets are arranged along a single stem, but unlike a flower spike, each individ-
ual flower on a raceme has its own pedicel (flower stalk). The oldest flowers are at the bottom of the raceme.
For example, mustard, radish, snapdragon, indigo, hydrangeas, and foxglove flowers.
Rachis - On pinnate leaves, the rachis is the central stalk that the leaflets are attached to.
Receptacle (part of flower) - The upper part of the pedicel that holds the calyx and petals. The female pistil
usually sits on top of the receptacle.
Reniform leaf - The leaf is rounded at the top and heart shaped at the base where the petiole or stalk attaches.
It’s roughly kidney shaped. For example, kidney weed and violet leaves.
Rhizome - A type of spreading, underground root system that sends out roots horizontally. They can produce
new plants as a means of asexual reproduction. The new plants grow their own roots and foliage from the buds
along the rhizome and the plant is able to spread. Rhizomes tend to be shallow rooted. For example, ginger,
bamboo, cattail, Bermuda grass, and mint.
Rosette - Basal leaves that grow horizontally from a single point and tend to lay completely flat. For example,
dandelion and flatweed.
Sagittate - The base of the leaf extends downwards to form an arrowhead or wedge shape. For example, ele-
phant ears or taro leaves.
Samaras - A winged version of an achene fruit; a single seed held tightly within a hard case. For example, ma-
ple and tree of heaven seeds.
Saponins - The chemical compounds found in certain plants that can create a soapy foam when mixed with
water. They are both water and fat soluble, so they have a wide number of uses; from soap making to stunning
fish. For example, soapwort and soapbark tree are high in saponins.
Scorpioid cymes - An inflorescence that is shaped like a scorpion tail and unfolds as it matures. The oldest
flower is at the base of the inflorescence where it joins the top of the stem and the flowers are arranged in a
zig-zag or alternating pattern. For example, many species in the borage family.
Sepal - The individual sepals form a protective ring around the base of each petal to protect the reproductive
organs and seeds. When a flower is budding, the sepals are closed tight to protect the developing flower.
Serrate (leaf) - The leaf margin is like a saw blade, with each saw tip pointing towards the tip of the leaf. For
example, apple, poplar, and stinging nettle leaves.
Sessile (leaf) - The leaf attaches directly onto the stem without a petiole (stalk). For example, trillium species,
basket grass, and many succulents.
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