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Say what?
Say what?
Many of the plant names on our website are scientific names that cannot be further interpreted. That doesn't mean that everything else is a piece of cake, so we have listed some of the jargon used in the plant world and provided an explanation of each.
Please contact us if there are any other terms that you are not familiar with and would like added to our list.
Aroids
Aroids are plants of the arum family (Araceae). Our Plant Science page has more information about plant names and classifications.
Cultivar
A cultivar is a plant that is produced and maintained by horticulturists but does not produce true-to-seed.
Genus
A Genus is a group of related plants. The similarity among members of a Genus may or may not be obvious. But taxonomists have determined that, due to certain features, these plants are related and thus classify them in the same Genus.
Internode
The stem between two nodes is called an internode.
LECA
Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) is a lightweight substrate used in place of soil. Refer to our LECA Plant Tips page.
Lumens
Lumen is a unit of measurement for brightness of light as perceived by the human eye. Lumens do not measure some of the important wavelengths that plants need to grow so are not usually used as a quality indicator for plant lighting.
Lux
Lux is the unit of measurement for light intensity. One Lux is equal to one lumen per square metre.
Node
The point at which a leaf and small stem (petiole) attaches to the plant stem is called a node.
NO ID
This abbreviation is short for No Identification and is often used when a plant has not yet been identified.
Oedema
Oedema is a condition affecting new plant growth that results in small red/rust coloured spots on leaves. Refer also to our Useful Plant Links page for more information about Oedema.
Perlite
Perlite is a light non-toxic substrate that lets roots move and grow easily making it ideal for propagation. Refer to our Perlite Plant Tips page.
sp.
This abbreviation is short for Species. It is often used after a Genus name to indicate that the species is unknown or noy yet determined.
Variegation / Variegated
Variegation is the term used to describe leaves that have more than one colour or a variety of colours on their leaves.
Variety
A variety is a group of plants within a species that has one or more distinguishing characteristics and usually produces true-to-seed.
*
We use an asterisk after the Genus and Species name to indicate that the scientific name for that plant requires confirmation.
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