Glossary

Anthocyanin (An-tho-SY-an-in) is a blue, red or violet pigment found in plants that protect them against damage due to environmental stresses.

Carotenoid (Kair-AH-ten-oid) is a yellow, red or orange fat-soluble pigment found in plants that protect them from damage due to environmental stresses.

Ciliate (SILL-ee-uht) hairs are a fringe of tiny hairs along the margin of leaves

Cryoprotectants (Kri-oh-pro-TECK-tants) are specialized proteins some plants and animals produce that prevent moisture within their cell walls from freezing.

In plants, edema (eh-DEE-muh) is a condition caused when a plant takes up water through its roots more quickly than it can process. Edema causes rough, corky patches on the…

Epicuticular wax (Ep-i-cyoo-TI-cyoo-lar wax) is a natural, waxy coating some plants develop on leaves, stems and fruits. Forming on the outer cuticle of the plant's skin, it provides protection from water,…

(Eh-PIH-fite) A plant that grows on another plant (typically a tree) but is not a parasite. Some epiphytes have no real roots, while others use their roots primarily to anchor…

(Eh-PIH-fites) A plant that grows on another plant (typically a tree) but is not a parasite. Some epiphytes have no real roots, while others use their roots primarily to anchor…

A plant is etiolated (EE-tee-oh-late-ed) when it grows very tall, thin and stretched as a result of getting insufficient sunlight.

Farina is a term for a very fine flour. Used with succulents to mean a fine dusting of white powder, the epicuticular wax natural for some succulent varieties.