Leaf with an arrow shape; with a pointy end and fused base, like a lance.
Sap
Nutrient liquid that circulates through the plant.
Scabiosa
Also known as Pincushion flower
Scale
Dry and lamellate structure that, by its size and coloration, evokes scales
Scandent
Plant that tends to climb upon a support, another plant, whatever the means.
Scion
Plant part that is grafted onto the rootstock, and usually has two or more buds.
Seed
Fertilized and mature part of a flowering plant, capable of germinating and producing a new plant. Seeds vary in size, from less than 1mm to about 20cm in diameter.
Segment
Each part into which certain plant structures are subdivided, particular the calyx and corolla.
Semi-Double Flower
Flower with more than one ring of petals, but with less petals than a double flower. For example: some varieties of African Violet. (Also see Simple Flower, Double Flower).
Sepal
External part of the flower, generally green, that protects the core of the flower and the more delicate petals. Some flowers, like the almond, are really composed of sepals and not petals; each part of the calyx. (Also see Calyx, Petal.)
Serrate
Leaf with a finely toothed margin.
Sessile
Leaf without a petiole or flower without a pedicle.
Sheath
Broad part of the leaf, that in whole or in part surrounds the stem.
Shoot
First stage of development of a stem, branch, leaf, flower or other structure
Shrub
Having many stems, instead of one large stem or trunk
Simple Flower
Flower with the normal number of petals. E.g., pansies. (Also see Double Flower, Semi-Double Flower).
Slip
Plant part cut or broken off for grafting or planting; (Also see Scion, Cutting)
Snapdragon
Snow Flake
Refined, delicate, used often to top off bouquet and arrangements (Euphorbia leucocephala).
Solidaster
Spadix
Type of small stalk with minuscule florets. Generally the spadix is enclosed by a spathe. Examples of plants with a spadix are Anthurium and the Calla or Arum Lily.
Spathe
Modified leaf that encloses the spadix (which holds the true flowers). Most often, the spathe presents a fleshy structure and, in some cases, exotic colors and shapes, a strategy used by nature to attract pollinators (insects and birds), since the tree flowers are insignificant, grouped in the spadix.
Spatulate
Used to designate a leaf in the form of a spatula.
Species
Group of plants that resemble each other. In biology, a species is designated by a binomial of the genus name (in uppercase) followed by the species name (usually in lower case), and both terms are always in Latin or Latinized. E.g., Coleus (genus) blumei (species). A genus is a group of species.
Sphagnum
Type of moss that occurs in very acid soils whose dead structures forma type of turf, used in gardening because it is sterile and confers acidity, porosity, ventilation and water-retaining abilities to the soil.
Spike
Type of long inflorescence without branching, formed by flowers fixed on a single axis. Similar to the raceme; the difference between them is the absence of pedicels in the spike’s flowers. E.g., gladioli.
Spine
Pointy and hard structure, modification of a leaf or another plant part.
Spirited
Perennial.
Spore
Miniscule reproductive body produced by ferns and mosses, for instance, and that correspond to the seeds of flowering plants.
Sprout
A plant produced from the base of a mother-plant, or from short stolons, usually detachable.
Spur
Pointy elongation, but not necessarily rigid, that occurs particularly in flowers like nasturtium.
Stalk
Organ that sustains the flower (pedicle), the leaf (petiole), or anther (filament). (Also see filament).
Stamen
Male organ of the flower, where the pollen lies, composed by one filament and two thecae (or pollen sacs) (Also see anthers).
Star Gazer Lily
One of the most beautiful and refined varieties of lily.
Star of Bethlehem
Has a very pleasant aroma. (Ornithogalum)
Statice
Also known as wavyleaf sea-lavender. Its scientific named (Limonium sinuatum)
Stem
Stalk, usually aerial, connected to the roots and which has the function of producing and sustaining the remaining aerial parts; substances diluted in the sap circulate within the stem, in both directions
Stephanotis
Stigma
End of the pistil (female reproductive organ) on which pollen is deposited. (also see Flower, Pistil)
Stock
(Matthiola incana)
Stolon (or runner)
Horizontal stalk, superficial or subterranean, that emits roots and leaves at regular intervals; some types of grass propagate by stolons.
Stoma
Pores through which gases enter and leave the plant. The stoma are generally in the bottom layer of leaves.
Style
Filament that sustains the stigma, maintaining its correct position for pollination. (Also see stigma, Pistil, Flower)
Succulent
Plant with fleshy leaves or stems that store water; it is not a scientific term of classification, merely a term of convenience; it can encompass cacti or not, depending on the context, but almost always designates xerophytes.