Plant Terminology

Notes: Anything in the quote format will denote Greek words/phrases

Greek: definition

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Chlorophyll

Responsible for the green color of leaves. Chlorotic leaves are pale, yellow, or yellow-white (see Chlorosis). Essential in photosynthesis, allowing plants to absorb energy from light.

Chlorosis

A condition in which leaves produce insufficient chlorophyll.

Khloros: meaning “greenish-yellow”, “pale green”, “pale”, “pallid”, or “fresh”.

Epiphyte

Epi: top of

Phyte: plant

Epiphytes are plants that grow on top of other plants, usually trees! Examples are: orchids, airplants, etc.

They derive nutrition from the air, humidity, dust, and other things around them.

Leggy

A plant will grow leggy when they are desparate for a light source and stretch during survival mode to find it. Stems will grow long in proportion to their leaves. Can cause paleness, stunted growth, and defenssless against pests.

Variegation

The appearance of differently colored sections on the leaves or even the stem of plants.