Connect with Nature

PlantWatch


PlantWatch Glossary

Basal leaves Leaves at the base of the plant’s stem
Biodiversity The variety of life on our planet, measurable as the variety within species, between species, and the variety of ecosystems
Botany The study of plant life, its structure and function
Catkin A flowering spike found in many woody plants; a cluster of flowers without petals, usually unisexual (either male or female, not both)
Circumboreal Occurring in the boreal region around the world
Climate change Gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our planet
Coniferous Plants that are mostly evergreen, with narrow needle-like leaves; produce cones for reproduction. Larch is the only conifer that sheds all of its needles annually
Deciduous A group of plants with leaves that fall off at the end of the growing season (start of the winter season in Canada)
Indicator plants A plant that is recognized as a “biological measuring stick” of its habitat; it has brief, easily-observed growth stages, which reflect changes in its environment (eg. seasonal temperature increase)
Perennial Plants that grow and produce flowers in successive years, from the same roots
Phenology The study of the seasonal timing of life cycle events (changes in plants and animals)

 

Flower Parts

 

 

Leaf Shapes

 

Oval leaf Oblong leaf
Spatulate leaf
Palmate leaf
 Compound leaf
Oval
Oblong
Spatulate
Palmate
Compound

 

Flower Types

Composite flower (coltsfoot, dandelion)

Composite flower