camera identify
Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
Plant Parts Glossary

We offer an accessible and comprehensive 'Plant Parts Glossary', a key resource for deciphering the language of plants. This concise guide is ideal for students, budding botanists, or plant enthusiasts, demystifying plant anatomy with simple terms. It's more than just a glossary; it's your gateway to understanding the intricate world of plants, their structure, and functions.

Leaf Glossary
Flower Glossary
Fruit Glossary
Element
Leaf Glossary
Leaf Glossary
Leaf Glossary
Leaf Type
Type
Definition
Photo
Simple

Each leaf stalk bears only one leaf.

Simple
Pinnate

A single leaf stalk bears multiple leaflets arranged in a feather-like pattern.

PinnatePinnatePinnatePinnate
Palmate

A single leaf stalk bears multiple leaflets that spread out from a single point.

PalmatePalmate
Trifoliate

A single leaf stalk bears three leaflets.

Unifoliate compound leaf

It looks like a single leaf, but it's actually a compound leaf. There is a clear articulation between the petiole and the leaf blade, and the petiole is winged on both sides

Leaf Shape
Type
Definition
Photo
Ovate

Resembles an egg in shape, wider at the base and tapering towards the tip.

Ovate
Cordate

Heart-shaped, with the notch at the base.

Cordate
Obovate

Ovate with the narrower end at the base.

Obovate
Elliptic

In the shape of an ellipse, or a narrow oval; broadest at the middle and narrower at the two equal ends.

Elliptic
Lanceolate

Lance-shape, much longer than wide, with the widest point below the middle.

Lanceolate
Circular

Round or nearly circular in shape

Circular
Ensiform

Resembles a sword, with parallel sides and a sharp tip.

Ensiform
Oblanceolate

Lanceolate with the more pointed end at the base.

Oblanceolate
Reniform

Kidney-shaped.

Reniform
Obcordate

The shape of a heart with the pointed end at the base

Obcordate
Sagittate

Arrowhead-shaped, with the basal lobes directed downward.

Sagittate
Rhombic

Resembles a rhombus, typically with four equal sides.

Rhombic
Peltate

More or less circular, with the stalk attached at a point on the underside,not the edge of the leaf

Peltate
Linear

Long and narrow in shape, resembling a strip or ribbon.

Linear
Spatulate

Resembles a spoon,broad at the apex and tapered to the base.

Spatulate
Acicular

Slender and elongated, resembling a needle.

Acicular
Flabellate

Resembles a fan, usually semi-circular in shape.

Flabellate
Deltoid

Triangular in shape, having three angles and three sides.

Deltoid
Oblong

Longer than elliptical, usually rounded at both ends,with nearly parallel sides.

Oblong
Scalelike

Leaves resembling fish scales, typically small and closely overlapping, as seen in cypress.

Scalelike
Cylindrical

Resembles a cylinder, typically long and straight,usually succulent.

Pandurate

Resembles a fiddle in outline, with a pair of sinuous indentations near the middle

Pandurate
Falcate

Resembles an agricultural sickle, generally curved.

Falcate
Palmate

(Of a single leaf) Having several lobes (typically 5–7) whose midribs all radiate from one point.

Palmate
Hastate

The upper part is narrowly triangular, like a spearhead, with a pair of basal lobes turned outward rather than downward.

Hastate
Leaf Base
Type
Definition
Photo
Cordate

Heart-shaped, with the notch at the base.

Cordate
Truncate

With the base square or flattened at the end, not tapered, as if cut off.

Truncate
Oblique

One side of the leaf base is longer or wider than the other side.

Oblique
Cuneate

The leaf base tapers gradually, resembling a wedge.

Cuneate
Circular

Round or nearly circular in shape

Circular
Auriculate

Having one or more structures shaped like an ear or earlobe at the base of the leaf

Auriculate
Perfoliate

(Of a stalkless leaf or bract) Extended at the base to encircle the node, so that the stem apparently passes through it.

Perfoliate
Attenuate

The leaf base tapers gradually and extends downwards.

AttenuateAttenuate
Amplexicaul

The leaf base partly surrounds the stem but doesn't completely encircle it.

Amplexicaul
Hastate

Leaf base with a pair of lobes, extending outward

Hastate
Ligulate

A membranous scale on the inner side of the leaf sheath at its junction with the blade.

Ligulate
Sagittate

The base is shaped like an arrowhead with downward-pointing lobes.

Sagittate
Peltate

The stalk attached at a point on the underside,not the edge of the leaf

Peltate
Leaf Apex
Type
Definition
Photo
Acuminate

The top of the leaf is sharp, and the margins on both sides of the top of the leaf are concave inward.

Acuminate
Obtuse

The leaf apex is round or blunt.

Obtuse
Acute

The leaf apex suddenly becomes very pointed.

Acute
Emarginate

The leaf apex has one or more small indentations.

Emarginate
Caudiform

The leaf apex extends into a tail-like structure.

Caudiform
Mucronate

Leaf tip bears a very short, sharp point.

Mucronate
Aristate

Leaf tip has a long, bristle-like point.

Aristate
Leaf Margin
Type
Definition
Photo
Pinnate

(Of a single leaf) Having lobes on either side of the midrib, typically in pairs opposite each other.

PinnatePinnatePinnate
Palmate

(Of a single leaf) Having several lobes (typically 5–7) whose midribs all radiate from one point.

PalmatePalmatePalmate
Serrate

The leaf margin has sharp, tooth-like projections.

SerrateSerrateSerrateSerrate
Entire

The leaf margin is smooth, with no teeth or notches.

Entire
Undulate

The leaf margin has a wavy appearance.

Undulate
Crenate

The leaf margin has blunt, tooth-like projections.

Crenate
Revolute

The leaf margin curls downwards or inward.

Leaf Arrangement
Type
Definition
Photo
Alternate

Leaves are arranged alternately along the stem.

Alternate
Opposite

The leaves are paired at a node and borne opposite to each other

Opposite
Whorled

Three or more leaves are arranged in a circle at the same height on the stem.

Whorled
Fascicled

Multiple leaves grow closely together from a single point.

Fascicled
Rosulate

With the leaves arranged in basal rosettes, the stem very short or lacking .

Rosulate
Basal

The leaves extend and spread close to the ground, and are usually arranged irregularly.

Basal
Equitant

(Of a leaf) Having its base folded and partly enclosing the leaf next above it, as in an iris.

Equitant
Leaf Surface
Type
Definition
Glabrous

The leaf surface is smooth with no hairs or other textures.

Asperous

The leaf surface has a rough or coarse texture.

Pilose/Pubescent

The leaf surface is covered in soft,fine hairs.

Rugate

The leaf surface has folds or wrinkles.

Hispidulous

The leaf surface is covered in stiff hairs.

Glaucous

The leaf surface is covered in a powdery or frost-like substance.

Leaf Texture
Type
Definition
Papyraceous

The leaf has a paper-like texture

Coriaceous

Resembling or having the texture of leather.

Herbaceous

Having the characteristics of an herb,and persisting usually for a single growing season

Succulent/Fleshy

The leaf is thick and juicy.

Membranous

The leaf texture is thin, soft, may be translucent.

Flower Glossary
Flower Glossary
Flower Glossary
Inflorescence Type
Type
Definition
Photo
Solitary

A single flower, without any inflorescence structure.

Solitary
Fascicle

Flowers densely clustered, born at node of stem.

Raceme

Inflorescence axis single, long, bearing stalked flowers, flowering order bottom to top

Raceme
Corymb

Pedicels of lower flowers are longer, and those near the top of the inflorescence are shorter. All flowers in the inflorescence are on the same plane.

Corymb
Umbel

The inflorescence radiates from a single point via multiple flower stalks of equal length.

Umbel
Spike

Sessile flowers are arranged in a vertical, elongated cluster.

Spike
Ament/Catkin

An inflorescence consisting of a dense spike or raceme of apetalous, unisexual flowers, as in Salicaceae and Betulaceae.

Ament/Catkin
Spadix

All flowers in the inflorescence are on a fleshy stalk.

Spadix
Capitulum/Head

A dense cluster of sessile or subsessile flowers

Capitulum/Head
Panicle

An inflorescence composed of two or more racemes or racemiform corymbs.

Panicle
Compound Spike

An inflorescence consisting of multiple smaller spikes.

Compound Spike
Compound umbel

An inflorescence made up of multiple smaller umbels.

Compound umbel
Compound corymb

An inflorescence made up of multiple smaller umbellets.

Compound corymb
Compound Capitulum

An inflorescence made up of multiple smaller capitula.

Compound Capitulum
Monochasium

A type of cymose inflorescence with only a single main axis.

MonochasiumMonochasium
Dichasium

A cymose inflorescence in which each axis produces two opposite or subopposite lateral axes.

Pleiochasium

A cymose inflorescence with more than two branches from the main axis.

Pleiochasium
Cup-shaped Cyme

The characteristic inflorescence of the spurges, resembling a single flower. It consists of a cup-shaped involucre of fused bracts enclosing several greatly reduced male flowers and a single female flower.

Cup-shaped Cyme
Hypanthodium

An inflorescence with flowers borne on the walls of a capitulum, as in Ficus.

Hypanthodium
Whorled Inflorescence

Cymes pseudowhorled in axils of opposite leaves or bracts

Whorled Inflorescence
Cymes

A flat-topped or round-topped inflorescence, in which the terminal flower blooms first.

Cymes
Strobilus/Cones

Mass of scales or bracts, usually ovate in shape, containing the reproductive organs of certain nonflowering plants

Strobilus/ConesStrobilus/Cones
Corolla Type
Type
Definition
Photo
Cruciform

Corolla consists of four petals arranged in the shape of a cross.

Cruciform
Rosaceous

The petals are free and similar, with a wide limb and a short claw that spreads outwardly.

Rosaceous
Papilionaceous

Butterfly-like, as the irregular corolla of a pea, with a banner petal, two wing petals, and two fused keel petals.

Papilionaceous
Campanulate

Bell-shaped.

Campanulate
Tubular

Corolla is tube-like, long and straight.

Tubular
Salverform

Corolla with a slender tube and an abruptly spreading, flattened limb

Salverform
Funnelform

Corolla resembles a funnel, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.

Funnelform
Urceolate

Corolla is short and wide, resembling the shape of an urn.

Urceolate
Ligulate

A form of corolla that is flat and tongue-shaped, typically found in some daisies

Ligulate
Bilabiate

Corolla is divided into an upper and lower lip, resulting in an asymmetrical shape.

Bilabiate
Spurred

Corolla features a long, tubular extension known as a spur.

Spurred
Apetalous

The flower lacks a corolla.

Spathaceous

Having a large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster of certain plants

Spathaceous
Imbricate

Petals or sepals overlap like roof tiles.

Fused

Petals or sepals are tightly connected, resembling forceps.

Fruit Glossary
Fruit Glossary
Fruit Glossary
Fruit Type
Type
Definition
Aggregate fruit

Usually applied to a cluster or group of small fleshy fruits originating from a number of separate pistils in a single flower, as in the clustered drupelets of the raspberry.

Collective fruit

A fruit formed from several separate flowers crowded on a single axis, as a mulberry or pineapple.

Berry

A fleshy fruit developing from a single pistil, with several or many seeds, as the tomato. Sometimes applied to any fruit which is fleshy or pulpy throughout, I.e. lacking a pit or core.

Pepo

A fleshy, indehiscent, many-seeded fruit with a tough rind, as a melon or a cucumber.

Hesperidium

A fleshy berry-like fruit with a tough rind, as a lemon or orange.

Drupe

A fleshy, indehiscent fruit with a stony endocarp surrounding a usually single seed as in a peach or cherry.

Drupelet

A small drupe, as in the individual segments of a raspberry fruit.

Pome

A fleshy, indehiscent fruit derived from an inferior, compound ovary, consisting of a modified floral tube surrounding a core, as in an apple.

Legume

A dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a single carpel and usually opening along two lines of dehiscence, as a pea pod.

Silique/Silicle

A dry, dehiscent fruit of the Cruciferae (Brassicaceae), with two valves separating from the persistent placentae and septum (replum). A fruit typically less than twice as long as wide, called silicle. A fruit typically more than twice as long as wide, called silique.

Follicle

A dry, dehiscent fruit composed of a single carpel and opening along a single side, as a milkweed pod.

Capsule

A dry, dehiscent fruit composed of more than one carpel.

Achene

A small, dry, indehiscent fruit with a single locule and a single seed, and with the seed attached to the ovary wall at a single point, as in the sunflower.

Cypsela

A fruit with two fused carpels while only one locule, and only one seed per fruit is formed.

Samara

A dry, indehiscent, winged fruit.

Caryopsis

A dry, one-seeded, indehiscent fruit with the seed coat fused to the pericarp, as in the fruits of the grass family; a grain.

Nut

A hard, dry, indehiscent fruit, usually with a single seed.

Schizocarp

A dry, indehiscent fruit which splits into separate one-seeded segments (carpels) at maturity.

Utricle

A small, thin-walled, one-seeded, more or less bladdery-inflated fruit.

Nutlet

A small nut; one of the lobes or sections of the mature ovary of some members of the Boraginaceae, Verbenaceae, and Labiatae (Lamiaceae).

Hip

A berry-like structure composed of an enlarged hypanthium surrounding numerous achenes.

Cone

A seed-bearing organ on gymnosperm plants. It is usually woody, ovoid to globular, including scales and bracts arranged around a central axis, especially in conifers. The female cone structure varies more markedly between the different conifer families.

Identify a Plant Easily and Quickly for Free, Anytime, Anywhere
Discover 12,000+ plants, flowers, succulents, and trees around you
Identify a Plant Online

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Img topic
Cape jasmine
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Golden pothos
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Pepper
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Swiss cheese plant
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Corn plant
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Jade plant
Looking like a miniature fairy tale tree, jade plant is one of the world's most popular succulents. Native to southern regions of Africa, Crassula ovata is well adapted to the dry warm air of modern homes. It grows slowly but lives for so long that plants get passed from generation to generation. It is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and even mildly toxic to humans.
Read More
Arrow
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app