Aroid Guide · Reference

AROID GLOSSARY

Every botanical term on Aroidpedia in plain English, with how to say it and, for many, a picture.

A

abaxial

ab-AK-see-ul

Facing away from the stem axis; on a leaf, the lower surface. Memory aid: abaxial has a b for bottom.

Surfaces & texture Used on The Alocasia Leaf, The Schismatoglottis Shoot, Yuree Lee — Aroid Researchers and 195 more

Image: Irsyam A.S.D. et al. (2023). First Report on The Naturalized Alocasia cucullata (Araceae) in Java, Indonesia. Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology., panel C

acropetal

ak-roh-PET-ul

Developing or opening in sequence from the base toward the tip. On an aroid spadix the flowers often mature this way: in Anthurium the stigmas, and later the stamens, appear first at the base and progress upward.

Inflorescence Used on Alocasia longiloba, Alocasia sanderiana

Image: Hay & Cedeño-Fonseca (2019). Anthurium decipiens, a gigantic new and apparently sapromyophilous species from western Colombia, with notes on the related and often confused Anthurium salgarense. Aroideana. Figure 11

acuminate

uh-KYOO-mi-nut

Tapering gradually to a long, narrow point.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Aglaonema, Amorphophallus, Cyrtosperma and 442 more

Image: Leaf morphology acuminate.png — Maksim, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

anatropous

uh-NAT-ruh-pus

Describing an ovule that is inverted so its opening lies near its stalk.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Epipremnum, Rhaphidophora, Scindapsus and 17 more

Image: Structure of an anatropous ovule — Adobe Stock #1381201152

anchor root

ANG-ker ROOT

A short root that grips the bark of the support, holding a climbing stem in place.

Stems & roots Used on Aroid Morphology, Monstera, Philodendron and 51 more

Image: What Monstera aerial roots are doing — ariumology.com

annulus

AN-yuh-lus

A ring or ring-shaped band, often marking a plant part or structure.

Shapes & forms

Image: Steve Lucas / Exotic Rainforest

anterior costa

an-TEER-ee-er KOS-tuh

The midrib of the anterior lobe, from the petiole attachment to the tip.

Veins Used on Alocasia, The Alocasia Leaf, Alocasia acuminata and 68 more

Image: Hay, A. (1998). The genus Alocasia (Araceae–Colocasieae) in West Malesia and Sulawesi. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 50: 221–334 — C = anterior costa

anterior lobe

an-TEER-ee-er LOHB

The main front part of the blade, from the petiole attachment to the tip.

Leaf shapes Used on Alocasia, Cyrtosperma, The Alocasia Leaf and 125 more

Image: Hay, A. (1998). The genus Alocasia (Araceae–Colocasieae) in West Malesia and Sulawesi. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 50: 221–334 — A = anterior lobe

anthesis

an-THEE-sis

The period when a flower is open and functioning sexually.

Inflorescence Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Alocasia Reproduction and 283 more

Image: Hein, K.Z., Prehsler, D., Saensouk, S. & Low, S.L. (2025). Hayarum mirispathum (Araceae–Aroideae): a new genus and species from Thailand. Taiwania 70(1): 65–74, Fig. 3E–B

areolar gland

uh-REE-uh-ler GLAND

A nectar- or fluid-producing gland set in a small, distinct area of tissue.

Cells & physiology

autotroph

AW-toh-trof

An organism that makes its own food from simple materials, usually using sunlight. Green aroids are autotrophs.

Cells & physiology

Image: Science Resources

axillary gland

AK-sih-lair-ee GLAND

A small gland, often darker, where a primary lateral vein meets the midrib on the underside of the leaf.

Veins Used on The Alocasia Leaf, Alocasia acuminata, Alocasia arifolia and 28 more

Image: Hay, A. (1998). The genus Alocasia (Araceae–Colocasieae) in West Malesia and Sulawesi. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 50: 221–334 — J = axillary gland

B

basal vein

BAY-sul VAYN

A vein arising at the base of the blade, near the petiole attachment, and running out into a posterior lobe.

Veins Used on Anthurium Identification, Aroid Identification, Philodendron and 45 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25 — H = basal veins

berry

BAIR-ee

A fleshy fruit holding one or more seeds. Aroid berries develop together on the spadix, and the whole fruiting spadix is the infructescence.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Alocasia Reproduction and 249 more

Image: Infructescence with ripe berries — Aroidia Research (aroidiaresearch.org)

bipinnate

by-PIN-ayt

Divided twice in a featherlike pattern: the main divisions are themselves divided into smaller ones.

Leaf shapes Used on Philodendron bipennifolium

Image: Pearson Scott Foresman via Wikimedia Commons; public domain

bisexual inflorescence

by-SEK-shoo-ul in-flor-ES-uns

A flower cluster that has both male and female function, whether in the same flowers or in separate flowers.

Inflorescence

Image: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) / Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0

bract

BRAKT

A modified leaf associated with a flower or inflorescence. In aroids the spathe is the bract that subtends and often wraps the spadix.

Inflorescence Used on Philodendron Reproduction, Syngonium, Alocasia perakensis and 5 more

Image: Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens — JJ Harrison, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

C

calcium oxalate crystal

KAL-see-um OK-suh-layt KRIS-tul

A mineral crystal made by many plants. In aroids, needlelike calcium oxalate crystals called raphides contribute to skin and mouth irritation, thought to act together with a chemical factor.

Cells & physiology Used on Alocasia, Aroid Morphology, Arum and 13 more

Image: Theoddmanjack via Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0

carinate

KAR-ih-nayt

Having a lengthwise keel-like ridge.

Surfaces & texture Used on Philodendron altomacaense, Philodendron bicolor

Image: Wong, Boyce & Bogner (2009). Schismatoglottideae of Borneo VIII - Piptospatha elongata complex - [Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 61(1), 217-233]. Plate 1

cataphyll

KAT-uh-fil

A scale-like, usually non-green leaf that protects a developing shoot or inflorescence.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Amorphophallus and 226 more

Image: Philodendron pusillum, labelled — Steve Lucas, Exotic Rainforest (exoticrainforest.com)

cladode

KLAD-ohd

A flattened or leaflike stem that does the work of a leaf, especially photosynthesis.

Stems & roots

Image: Vedantu; creator and

clasping

KLAS-ping

Partly surrounding the stem or another structure at the base.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Aglaonema, Arum, Epipremnum and 14 more

Image: Jane Mangold and Noelle Orloff, Montana State University Extension

clathrate scale

KLATH-rayt SKAYL

A scale with a lattice-like pattern of clear spaces or thin cell walls.

Surfaces & texture

clavate

KLAY-vayt

Club-shaped, narrower at the base and wider toward the tip.

Shapes & forms Used on Scindapsus, Alocasia azlanii, Alocasia lancifolia and 42 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

connate

KON-nayt

Fused together with similar adjacent parts.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Amorphophallus Reproduction, Syngonium, Alocasia acuminata and 77 more

Image: Leaf morphology attachment connate-perfoliate.png — Michael G. Simpson. Redrawn and color: User:RoRo, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

convolute

KON-vuh-loot

Rolled lengthwise with one edge overlapping the other. In aroids it describes how a new leaf is rolled up while it develops, and how the lower spathe wraps around the spadix.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Amorphophallus Reproduction, Cyrtosperma, Alocasia epilithica and 170 more

Image: William T. Stearn, via The Exotic Rainforest

cortex

KOR-teks

The layer of tissue between a stem or root's outer skin and its central conducting tissues.

Cells & physiology Used on The Philodendron Cataphyll

Image: Kompas Skola; creator and

cotyledon

kot-uh-LEE-dun

A seed leaf, usually the first leaf or leaves to emerge from a germinating seed.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Aglaonema, Monstera

Image: Testbook; creator and

creeping

KREE-ping

Growing along the ground or a surface and rooting as it goes.

Habit & habitat Used on Aglaonema, Aroid Morphology, Arum and 33 more

Image: Yu P. et al. (2025). fpls-16-1692444. Frontiers in Plant Science.

cylindroid

sih-LIN-droyd

Roughly cylindrical.

Shapes & forms Used on Syngonium standleyanum

Image: S. L. Winterton, USDA APHIS Identification Technology Program / IDtools

D

dehisce

dih-HIS

To split open naturally to release seeds, pollen, or other contents.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Arum, Alocasia flabellifera, Alocasia hararganjensis and 22 more

Image: Herbier Louis-Marie, Flore nordique du Québec et du Labrador, vol. 5 (2024), hosted by Office québécois de la langue française

deliquescent

del-ih-KWES-ent

Rapidly breaking down into a soft, collapsing mass as it ages.

Surfaces & texture Used on Alocasia baginda, Alocasia brisbanensis, Alocasia flabellifera and 6 more

Image: Wong & Boyce (2024). Schismatoglottideae of Borneo LXXVII - Circumscribing Schismatoglottis s.s. and seven new genera - [Webbia 79(2) 255-289]. Webbia.

dimorphic root

dy-MOR-fik ROOT

One of two clearly different kinds of roots on the same plant, often with different jobs such as anchoring and feeding.

Stems & roots

E

ellipsoid

eh-LIP-soyd

Oval in three dimensions, widest at the middle and rounded at both ends.

Shapes & forms Used on Aglaonema, Amorphophallus, Philodendron and 103 more

Image: Boyce & Wong (2013). Piptospatha deceptrix & P. colata - [Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 65(1) 7-17]. Fig. 2

elliptic

eh-LIP-tik

Oval, widest at the middle, and similarly tapered at both ends.

Leaf shapes Used on Aglaonema, Amorphophallus, Aroid Morphology and 325 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

epipelic

ep-ih-PEL-ik

Living on the surface of wet or submerged sediment such as mud or silt.

Habit & habitat

F

female zone

FEE-mail ZOHN

The part of the spadix bearing the female flowers, usually at its base.

Inflorescence Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Alocasia Reproduction and 256 more

Image: Miyake, T. & Yafuso, M. (2003). Floral scents affect reproductive success in fly-pollinated Alocasia odora (Araceae). American Journal of Botany 90(3): 370–376, Fig. 1

flagellum

fluh-JEL-um

A long, whip-like structure. In climbing aroids, a flagellate stem is a searching shoot that can reach a new support.

Stems & roots Used on Epipremnum, Rhaphidophora

foliose

FOH-lee-ohs

Bearing normal, expanded leaves rather than only scales or reduced leaf structures.

Habit & habitat Used on Monstera momoi

forelobe

FOR-lohb

The forward, upper lobe of a divided leaf blade.

Leaf shapes

G

guttation

guh-TAY-shun

The release of liquid water droplets from leaf edges or tips through special pores, usually when the soil is very wet.

Cells & physiology Used on Anne M. Alvarez — Aroid Researchers

Image: Philodendron hederaceum — Steve Lucas, Exotic Rainforest (exoticrainforest.com)

H

hastate

HAS-tayt

Arrowhead-shaped with basal lobes spreading outward, rather than pointing downward.

Leaf shapes Used on Alocasia, Aroid Morphology, Arum and 86 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

hydathode

HY-duh-thohd

A water-releasing pore or patch of tissue, usually at a leaf edge or tip. It is the usual outlet for guttation.

Cells & physiology Used on Philodendron

Image: Askune, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

I

infructescence

in-fruk-TES-uns

The fruiting stage of the inflorescence: the spadix after pollination, bearing developing or ripe berries.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Amorphophallus and 165 more

Image: Ed Stikvoort / Saxifraga, via King County

intramarginal vein

in-truh-MAR-jih-nul VAYN

A continuous vein running just inside and parallel to the leaf edge.

Veins Used on Alocasia, The Alocasia Leaf, Alocasia arifolia and 28 more

Image: Hay, A. (1998). The genus Alocasia (Araceae–Colocasieae) in West Malesia and Sulawesi. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 50: 221–334

L

lanceolate

LAN-see-oh-layt

Shaped like a lance head, much longer than wide and widest below the middle.

Leaf shapes Used on Arum, Epipremnum, Monstera Identification and 313 more

Image: Leaf morphology lanceolate.png — Maksim, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

leucoplast

LOO-koh-plast

A colorless cell structure that commonly stores starch, oils, or proteins.

Cells & physiology

Image: NeetQ; author/

M

male zone

MAYL ZOHN

The part of the spadix bearing the male, pollen-producing flowers.

Inflorescence Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Alocasia Reproduction and 263 more

Image: Takano, K.T., Repin, R., Mohamed, M.B. & Toda, M.J. (2012). Pollination mutualism between Alocasia macrorrhizos (Araceae) and two taxonomically undescribed Colocasiomyia species (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Sabah, Borneo. Plant Biology 14: 555–564, Fig. 3

marcescent

mar-SES-ent

Withering but staying attached instead of falling, like the dried cataphylls that clothe many Philodendron stems, or a spathe that persists after flowering.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Scindapsus, Alocasia aequiloba, Alocasia brisbanensis and 50 more

Image: (2013). Schismatoglottideae of Borneo XXXIII - Schismatoglottis Tecturata Group - [Aroideana 36E(1) 4-15] Boyce & Wong 2013. Figure 17

merous

MER-us

Having the stated number of parts in each flower or fused floral unit.

Flowers, fruit & seed

metallophyte

meh-TAL-uh-fyt

A plant adapted to soils unusually rich in metals, which can be toxic to most plants.

Habit & habitat

minor vein

MY-ner VAYN

The smallest veins of the blade, filling the spaces between the larger ones.

Veins Used on Spathiphyllum, Alocasia evrardii, Monstera amargalensis and 47 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25, Fig. 6 (E = lesser reticulate veins)

myrmecophyte

mur-MEK-uh-fyt

A plant that provides living space or food for ants and has a close association with them.

Habit & habitat

Image: Megan Hansen / Wikimedia Commons (originally Flickr); CC BY-SA 2.0

N

node

NOHD

The point on a stem where a leaf is attached; roots and new shoots arise here.

Stems & roots Used on Aglaonema, Aroid Morphology, Epipremnum and 45 more

Image: Node and internode on an Epipremnum stem — Foliage Factory (foliage-factory.com)

O

obovoid

ob-OH-voyd

Egg-shaped in three dimensions, with the broader end toward the tip.

Shapes & forms Used on Philodendron, Spathiphyllum, Alocasia peltata and 26 more

Image: R. Gibbons, USDA APHIS PPQ, via Fruit and Seed Family ID / IDTools

obtuse

ob-TOOS

Blunt or rounded at the tip, the sides meeting at more than a right angle.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Aglaonema, Arum, The Alocasia Leaf and 289 more

Image: The William & Lynda Steere Herbarium, New York Botanical Garden

offset

AWF-set

A young plant formed at the base of the parent, which can be separated to propagate it.

Stems & roots Used on Alocasia, Amorphophallus, Monstera and 117 more

Image: Our House Plants

orbicular

or-BIK-yuh-ler

Nearly circular in outline.

Leaf shapes Used on Cyrtosperma, Scindapsus, Syngonium and 40 more

Image: ClipArt ETC, Florida Center for Instructional Technology, University of South Florida

ovate

OH-vayt

Egg-shaped in outline, broadest below the middle.

Leaf shapes Used on Aglaonema, Aroid Morphology, Epipremnum and 387 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

ovule

OV-yool

The structure inside an ovary that becomes a seed once fertilized.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Alocasia Reproduction and 275 more

Image: explorebiology via Wikimedia Commons; CC BY 4.0

P

pedicel

PED-ih-sel

The stalk of one individual flower or fruit within a cluster.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Amorphophallus dzui

Image: Wild Adirondacks

peduncle

pih-DUNG-kul

The stalk that supports an inflorescence or its developing fruiting structure.

Inflorescence Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Amorphophallus and 611 more

Image: Pearson Scott Foresman via Wikimedia Commons; public domain

perfect flower

PER-fekt FLOW-er

A flower with both functional stamens and a functional pistil; also called a bisexual flower.

Flowers, fruit & seed

Image: Super Tutor

perianth

PAIR-ee-anth

The outer parts of a flower surrounding its reproductive organs, including sepals and petals when those are distinguishable.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Aglaonema, Amorphophallus, Monstera and 3 more

Image: SlideShare presentation; author/

pheromone

FAIR-uh-mohn

A chemical signal released by an organism that changes the behavior or development of others of the same species.

Cells & physiology

phylloclade

FIL-oh-klayd

A leaflike, photosynthetic stem that takes over much of a leaf's job.

Stems & roots

Image: askIITians

pinnatifid

pin-AT-ih-fid

Pinnately lobed, with cuts extending less than halfway to the central vein.

Leaf shapes Used on Aroid Morphology, Epipremnum, Monstera and 34 more

Image: C. Romero Zarco, Universidad de Sevilla

pistil

PIS-tul

The female flower structure consisting of stigma, style, and ovary.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Anthurium Identification and 164 more

Image: Borgetti N. and Isocrono D. (DISAFA), via Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 4.0

pistillate

PIS-tih-layt

Bearing female flowers or functioning female reproductive structures.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Alocasia Reproduction, Amorphophallus, Arum and 140 more

Image: University of Pittsburgh Department of Biological Sciences

polyphyllous

pol-ee-FIL-us

Having many leaves.

Habit & habitat

polyploid

POL-ee-ployd

Having more than two complete sets of chromosomes in each cell.

Cells & physiology Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Amorphophallus and 24 more

Image: Ehamberg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 / GFDL

posterior costa

pos-TEER-ee-er KOS-tuh

The main vein running out into a posterior lobe; the two often meet at the petiole attachment.

Veins Used on Alocasia, The Alocasia Leaf, Alocasia aequiloba and 57 more

Image: Hay, A. (1998). The genus Alocasia (Araceae–Colocasieae) in West Malesia and Sulawesi. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 50: 221–334

posterior lobe

pos-TEER-ee-er LOHB

One of the two basal lobes of the blade, lying behind the petiole attachment.

Leaf shapes Used on Alocasia, Alocasia Identification, Aroid Morphology and 173 more

Image: Hay, A. (1998). The genus Alocasia (Araceae–Colocasieae) in West Malesia and Sulawesi. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 50: 221–334

primary lateral vein

PRY-mair-ee LAT-er-ul VAYN

One of the main veins running from the midrib toward the leaf margin.

Veins Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Amorphophallus and 361 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

prophyll

PROH-fil

The first leaf or bract produced on a new shoot or inflorescence branch.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Alocasia, Epipremnum, Philodendron and 32 more

Image: Ray, T.S. (1987). Leaf types in the Araceae. American Journal of Botany 74(9): 1359–1372, Fig. 4 (stem of Anthurium clavigerum)

pubescent

pyoo-BES-ent

Covered with soft hairs; puberulent means finely or minutely hairy.

Surfaces & texture Used on Alocasia, Aroid Morphology, Rhaphidophora and 19 more

Image: Philodendron squamiferum petiole — NSE Tropicals (nsetropicals.com)

pulvinus

pul-VY-nus

A swollen, jointlike cushion at a leaf or leaflet base that permits movement.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Monstera, Rhaphidophora, The Monstera Shoot and 7 more

Image: Waheed Arshad / University of Reading Tropical Biodiversity

punctate

PUNGK-tayt

Dotted with tiny spots or pits.

Surfaces & texture Used on Amorphophallus obscurus, Scindapsus maclurei

Image: Ng et al. (2011). Homalomeneae VIII - Additional informal suprageneric taxa for Sundaic Homalomena - [Webbia 66(1) 21-28]. Webbia.

pyriform

PY-rih-form

Pear-shaped, broadest below the middle and narrowing upward.

Shapes & forms Used on Arum, Alocasia fallax, Alocasia maquilingensis and 18 more

Image: Herbier Louis-Marie, Université Laval / Office québécois de la langue française

Q

R

raphide

RAY-fyd

A needle-like calcium oxalate crystal held in plant cells; raphides contribute to the irritation many aroids cause when eaten or handled, thought to act together with a chemical factor.

Cells & physiology Used on Alocasia, Aroid Morphology, Feng-Lan Zhao — Aroid Researchers and 21 more

Image: Wikimedia Commons on search result

reflexed

rih-FLEKST

Bent sharply backward or downward from its usual direction.

Shapes & forms Used on Alocasia alba, Alocasia arifolia, Alocasia balgooyi and 59 more

Image: Wong & Boyce (2012). Infructescences of Hapaline appendiculata - [The IAS Newsletter 34(1), 16-17].

repent

REE-pent

Creeping along the ground or another surface, with the stem lying more or less flat.

Habit & habitat

reticulate

rih-TIK-yuh-lit

Forming a networklike pattern, especially of veins.

Veins Used on Amorphophallus, Aroid Morphology, Arum and 77 more

Image: Alocasia zebrina — Steve Lucas, Exotic Rainforest (exoticrainforest.com)

rhizome

RY-zohm

A usually horizontal stem that grows along or below the ground and produces roots and shoots.

Stems & roots Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Amorphophallus and 109 more

Image: de Oliveira Ferreira R. et al. (2020). Anatomy of the adventitious roots of Philodendron and its importance for the systematics of the genus ferreira2020. Australian Systematic Botany.

rhombic

ROM-bik

Diamond-shaped, with four angled sides.

Leaf shapes Used on Rhaphidophora, Syngonium, Alocasia acuminata and 53 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

S

sagittate

SAJ-ih-tayt

Arrowhead-shaped, with backward-pointing basal lobes.

Leaf shapes Used on Alocasia, Amorphophallus, Aroid Morphology and 152 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

saprophyte

SAP-roh-fyt

An organism that feeds on dead organic material. The word is sometimes loosely but inaccurately applied to green plants.

Habit & habitat

Image: Yuna Werchner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

saxicolous

sak-SIK-uh-lus

Growing on rocks or in rock crevices.

Habit & habitat

Image: Patrick Blanc / Mur Végétal Patrick Blanc

scalariform

skal-AIR-ih-form

Ladder-like, especially describing crossbars between parallel veins or elongated cells.

Veins Used on Anthurium Identification

Image: University of Florida IFAS, with University of Kentucky and Texas A&M University; © 2023

secondary vein

SEK-un-dair-ee VAYN

The finer veins branching from the primary lateral veins and running between them toward the margin.

Veins Used on Alocasia, Monstera Identification, Rhaphidophora and 183 more

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

seriate

SEER-ee-it

Arranged in a definite number of rows.

Inflorescence

Image: William & Robert Chambers Encyclopaedia (1881), via ClipArt ETC / University of South Florida

serrate

SER-rayt

Having saw-toothed edges with forward-pointing teeth.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Amorphophallus ongsakulii

Image: Pearson Scott Foresman via Wikimedia Commons; public domain.

serrulate

SER-yuh-lit

Finely saw-toothed along the edge.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Amorphophallus serrulatus

Image: eFlora: Vascular Plants of the Sydney Region, University of Sydney

sessile

SES-ul

Attached directly, without a stalk. In aroids it is most often said of the spadix: in Amorphophallus, for example, the spadix sits directly on the spathe with no stipe.

Inflorescence Used on Aglaonema, Amorphophallus Reproduction, Arum and 270 more

Image: Giordano (1999). Observations on Amorphophallus titanum (Becc.) Becc. ex Arcangeli in the Forest of Sumatra. Aroideana. Fig. 1

solitary

SOL-ih-tair-ee

Borne singly rather than in a cluster; a solitary inflorescence appears alone, not in a group.

Inflorescence Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Amorphophallus and 242 more

Image: Allan Galloway, via Aroidpedia; rights reserved /

sorus

SOR-us

A cluster of sporangia, the structures that make spores, usually found on the underside of a fern frond.

Flowers, fruit & seed

Image: Kompas Skola

spadix

SPAY-diks

The thick, fleshy flower-bearing spike inside an aroid spathe.

Inflorescence Used on Aglaonema, Alocasia, Alocasia Identification and 685 more

Image: Takano, K.T., Repin, R., Mohamed, M.B. & Toda, M.J. (2012). Pollination mutualism between Alocasia macrorrhizos (Araceae) and two taxonomically undescribed Colocasiomyia species (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Sabah, Borneo. Plant Biology 14: 555–564, Fig. 3

spathe limb

SPAYTH LIM

The upper, usually open and expanded part of the spathe, above the tube.

Inflorescence Used on Alocasia, Alocasia Identification, Arum Reproduction and 133 more

Image: Schismatoglottis imbakensis.png — Kartini Saibeh, Peter C. Boyce, Wong Sin Yeng, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

spathe tube

SPAYTH TOOB

The lower part of the spathe, rolled around the female flowers and often closed.

Inflorescence Used on Alocasia, Alocasia Reproduction, Amorphophallus and 189 more

Image: New or noteworthy plant collections from Myanmar (4) Typhonium cordifolium and two new species, T. neogracile and T. praecox (Araceae).

sporangium

spor-AN-jee-um

A structure that produces and releases spores. Fern sporangia commonly occur in clusters called sori.

Flowers, fruit & seed

Image: Botany Companion

sterile zone

STER-ul ZOHN

A band of the spadix bearing sterile flowers, or none, usually between the female and male zones.

Inflorescence Used on Alocasia, Alocasia Reproduction, Amorphophallus and 118 more

Image: Takano, K.T., Repin, R., Mohamed, M.B. & Toda, M.J. (2012). Pollination mutualism between Alocasia macrorrhizos (Araceae) and two taxonomically undescribed Colocasiomyia species (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Sabah, Borneo. Plant Biology 14: 555–564, Fig. 3

stigmatic hair

stig-MAT-ik HAIR

A hairlike projection on or near a stigma that may help receive pollen or guide pollinators.

Flowers, fruit & seed

stipulate

STIP-yuh-layt

Bearing stipules, the small appendages at the base of a leaf stalk.

Leaf parts, tips & edges

Image: Akanksha Saxena / Biology Online

subhastate

sub-HAS-tayt

Somewhat hastate, with basal lobes that point outward like an arrowhead's barbs.

Leaf shapes Used on Syngonium chiapense, Syngonium standleyanum

Image: Croat, T.B. & Bunting, G.S. (1979). Standardization of Anthurium descriptions. Aroideana 2: 15–25

subobtuse

sub-ob-TOOS

Somewhat blunt at the tip, but not fully rounded.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Philodendron auriculatum

Image: SlideShare presentation “Leaves”; author and

supervolute vernation

soo-per-VOH-loot ver-NAY-shun

A leaf-bud arrangement in which one margin of the developing blade wraps over the other.

Leaf parts, tips & edges

Image: William T. Stearn, via The Exotic Rainforest

sympodial

sim-POH-dee-ul

Growing through successive side shoots after each main shoot ends in a leaf or inflorescence.

Stems & roots Used on Epipremnum, Monstera, Scindapsus and 6 more

Image: E. J. Hermsen, Digital Atlas of Ancient Life; after Donoghue (1981).

sympodium

sim-POH-dee-um

The chain of connected shoots produced by sympodial growth.

Stems & roots Used on Aglaonema, Monstera, Philodendron and 5 more

Image: E. J. Hermsen, Digital Atlas of Ancient Life; after Donoghue (1981).

T

trilobate

try-LOH-bayt

Divided into three lobes.

Leaf shapes Used on Amorphophallus linguiformis

Image: Syngonium podophyllum ‘Trileaf Wonder’, juvenile leaf — Marek Argent, Araceum (araceum.abrimaal.pro-e.pl)

truncate

TRUNG-kayt

Ending abruptly as if cut straight across.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Epipremnum, Spathiphyllum, Syngonium and 187 more

Image: William & Lynda Steere Herbarium, New York Botanical Garden

U

undulate

UN-dyuh-layt

Wavy along the edge, rising and falling in gentle curves.

Leaf parts, tips & edges Used on Alocasia, Philodendron, Spathiphyllum and 103 more

Image: NC State Extension, North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook

unilocular

yoo-nih-LOK-yuh-ler

Having a single internal chamber, especially an ovary.

Flowers, fruit & seed Used on Cyrtosperma, Alocasia aequiloba, Alocasia brisbanensis and 93 more

Image: Herbier Louis-Marie, Université Laval; Flore nordique du Québec et du Labrador, Presses de l'Université Laval

V

velutinous

veh-LOO-tin-us

Velvety, with a dense covering of very short soft hairs.

Surfaces & texture

Image: Pajast / Wikimedia Commons — public domain

W

X