Glossary of Gardening Terms: A - Z

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Descriptions of common gardening terms and phrases…

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Semi-evergreen:

Plant type

A plant that retains at least some of it’s foliage during the whole calendar year.

Sepal:

Flower part

A petal-like structure under the flower petals. Usually green but sometimes modified and colourful.

Spathe:

A type of bract

Glossary item image for Spathe
A type of bract, often fleshy and hood like. Example, the yellow spathes of Lysichiton americanus.

Sport:

Spontaneous production of unusual plant material

A sport is when a plant produces foliage or a flower that differs in character from the norm. E.g. colour or variegation. The resulting flower or leaf is described as a sport. Many cultivated plants are the result of propagation from sport plant material.

Stamen:

Male part of a flower

The Stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower, usually consisting of an Anther and a Filament.