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Monday, 11 May 2026, 2:44 AM
Site: MISIN Learn
Course: MISIN Learn (MISIN Learn)
Glossary: Glossary
A

Araceae

Arum Family. Comprised of 140 genera and about 4,075 species. Members of this family are characterized by flowers that are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (leaf-like bract).

Aril

Fleshy seed cover.

Asclepiadaceae

(now known as Asclepiadoideae) Milkweed Subfamily. Comprised of more than 214 genera and about 2,400 species of tropical herbs or shrubby climbers, rarely shrubs or trees. Members of this family have milky sap, flowers with five united petals, pod like fruit, and, usually, tufted seeds.

Asteraceae

(formerly Compositae) Aster, Daisy or Composite Family. Comprised of more than 1,620 genera and 23,600 species of herbs, shrubs and trees. It is considered the largest plant family. Members of this family usually have daisy-type flowers and are not big trees or aquatic.

Awn

A bristlelike appendage of a plant, especially on the glumes of grasses.

Axil

The angle between the leafstalk and the stem that bears it.
B

Baby's Breathe

Commonly cultivated for cut and dry floral arrangements; often included in wildflower seed mixes.

Baby's breathe

Balsaminaceae

Touch-me-not Family. Comprised of 2 genera and about 1,000 species of fleshy herbaceous plants that have toothed leaves and spurred flowers. The flowering plants may be annual or perennial.

Basal

At the base or ground level.

Berberidaceae

Barberry Family. Comprised of 14 genera and about 701 species of perennial herbs and shrubs. Many of the shrubs have spines or spiny-margined leaves and flowers are highly variable.