Cactus Info

U

UMBEL an inflorescence of pedicellate flowers of almost equal length arising from the apex of the peduncle.
UNISEXUAL  applied tom a flower having only stamens or pistil, as opposed to bisexual.
URCEOLATE  shaped like a jug or pitcher.

V

VALVE  one of the portions into which a capsule separates when ripe.
VERRUCOSE  warty.
VIBRATILE  capable of motion to and for.
VILLOSE  covered with long, fine, soft hairs.
VISCID  sticky.
VYGIE  Afrikaans (local South African dialect) for a "small fig"; the common name for mesems; originally applied to the genus carpobrotus which produces small edible "figs".

W

WHORL  a circle of leaves, sepals, stames or other organs around an axis.

X

XEROMORPHIC  having special devices which protect the plant from desiccation.
XEROPHYTE  a plant which survives on a small amount of water in a dry habitat