Compound leaves in which all the leaflets arise from a common petiole, recalling the open fingers of a hand

Term used to name compound leafs with several leaflets that open like a fan from a common point, with the format of a flat hand. E.g., buckeyes.

Type of inflorescence formed by a large cluster of pedicled flowers (with short stalk); compound inflorescence in which from a main axis other secondary axes sprout that bear flowers.

One of the many varieties of Heliconia. Also called Parrot’s beak.

Plant that extracts nourishment from the sap of another plant.

Stalk sustaining flower

Stalk sustaining an inflorescence

Having the petiole outside the margin of the leaf.

Preserves the adult form for more than two years. Plant that can live an indefinite period. Perennials can be herbaceous or woody. (See also annual and biannual)

Garden structure formed by two parallels rows of columns that support horizontal trellis and that support climbing plants.

Generally the most showy part of the flower. Petals product the core of the flower and, when colorful, serve to attract pollinating insects towards the stamens and pistils. A flower can present few petals, like the flowers of several dayflowers, with only 3 petals) or several (like roses). The group of petals in a flower is called a corolla. (Also see sepal, stamen, pistil, flower and corolla).

Connecting stalk between the leaf blade and its point of insertion in the stem or branch.

Symbol to express the level of acidity, on a scale of 0 to 15, in which 7 represents neutrality (equilibrium between acid and alkaline). Values higher than 7 represent increasing alkalinity, and below increasing acidity. To have an idea, vinegar has a pH around 3 and sodium bicarbonate a pH around 8. Ornamental plants usually require a pH between 6 and 7.5 (each unit of Ph represents an acidity or alkalinity 10 times greater: a soil with pH 5 is ten times more acid that a soil with pH 6; a soil with pH 8 is 10 times more alkaline that a soil with pH 7).

Phalaenopsis is one of the most refined orchids, also known as Moth Orchid, or by the abbreviation Phal.

Phalaenopsis is in spikes that can have up to 25 flowers.

Process by which carbon dioxide is transformed in carbohydrates, inside the leaf, from light activating on chlorophyll – the green pigment – of stalks and leaves.

Pruning method, also known as pinching back, entails removing soft buds, with the thumb and indicator finger, to induce branching growth

One of the many variations of the protea family, also known as leucospermum.

Alpinia Purpurata

Individual section, generally known as follicle, of a very segmented leaf or frond. Used in the description of fern fronds. (Also see frond, follicle, pinnate).

Term used to describe a compound leaf divided in some or several pairs of opposed pinna (follicles). For example: palms.

Female flower organ, including the stigma, style and ovary. (Also see stigma, style, ovary, flower)

Dust produced and contained in the anthers, composed by minute grains that attach to a stigma and produce a tube that grows through the style and reaches the ovary where it fertilizes an ovule and gives rise to the formation of a fruit.

This variety got its name because of its shape.

Plant material, for instance, a cutting from a stem or a leaf, used for the purpose of plant propagation.

Got its name in homage to the Greek god Proteus.

Technique for removing, by cutting, branches or other parts of a plant with the purpose of eliminating dead or superfluous tissues, or controlling size and stimulating other reactions favorable to development and preservation.

Part of an epiphytic orchid’s stem with a bulbous aspect.

Structure that develops from flowers, but in fact does not develop from an ovary. Cashews, apples and quince are pseudofruits because they are not derived from the ovaries; strawberries, because they are derived from the several ovaries of a single flower; pineapple, raspberries and figs develop from different parts of several flowers.

Covered with fine, short and soft hairs.