Calyx
Outer part of the flower usually green and consists of the sepals; Plural calyces; (See also Corolla).
Cambium
A meristematic layer of cells responsible for the growth of the bark and the wood.
Capsule
Dry dehiscent fruit that has more than one carpel or ovule.
Carpel
The female reproductive organ that consists of the stigma, style, and ovary.
Catkin
A unisexual spike flower that is a long unbranched petal-free male or female flower with bracts between the flowers and that uses wind to spread the pollen; hangs down and can be ornamental.
Ciliate
Fringe of fine hairs; can be found on leaves, stems, buds, flowers, etc.
Collateral
Situated side-by-side; often in reference to multiple buds at a node.
Columnar
Shaped like a column; much longer than wide and having a defined central leader.
Compound
Divisions where there are two or more similar characteristics.
Concave
Curved inward
Cone
Woody cluster of seeds on a scale attached to a center axis; see also Strobile.
Conical
Cone-shaped being taller than wide and attached at the wide end.
Connate
The fusion of plant organs; such as sexual organs, leaves, petals, etc.
Connate-perfoliate
Fusion of the bases of a pair of opposite leaves that attach directly to the stem (no petiole).
Contorted
Twisted or bent in many directions; can appear on any part of plant.
Convex
Curved outward.
Cordate
Heart-shaped; can be overall leaf shape, or leaf base with the notched section connecting to the petiole.
Coriaceous
Thick leathery texture of a leaf that is pliable.
Corolla
The collective name for all of the petals of a flower; portions of the petals can be fused into a corolla tube (See also Calyx).
Corymb
A flat-topped or round-topped indeterminate inflorescence with the lower pedicels growing to the same height as the upper and flowering first from the outside towards the center (See also Cyme and Umbel).
Crenate
Rounded teeth along margin.
Cuneate
Narrow wedge-shaped leaf base tapering to a point at the petiole.
Cuspidate
Tipped with a short, abrupt point on a leaf apex narrowing to tip.
Cyme
Flat-topped or round-topped determinate inflorescence; paniculate; terminal flower blooms first (See also Corymb and Umbel).