…the process of crossing two genetically different individuals, resulting in progeny with different chromosome complements producing an often “better” set of traits.
inflorescence
… a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem. It may include one or several branches with the flowers on them.
involucre
… one or more whorls of bracts situated at the base of a flower or flower cluster
iteroparous
… a plant that can reproduce numerous times throughout its life cycle. Polycarpic.
layering
… a type of self-cloning or vegetative reproduction process by which a stem roots when it ends up in contact with soil.
ligule
…in most grasses and sedges, a thin and membranous tissue found on the inner side of a leaf sheath at the base of the leaf blade. Their particular shape/structure is often used in identifying grass species.meiosis
… the process wherein a single, diploid 2n “mother” cell divides twice to produce four haploid (n cells, each containing half the original amount of genetic information. In humans, the products are our sex cells – sperm in males, eggs in females.
mixotrophic
…an organism that acquires energy and carbon from multiple sources e.g.photosynthesis and parasitism.
model organism
… a species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the model organism will provide insight into the workings of other organisms.
monocarpic
… a plant that reproduces only one time and then dies. The plant may be annual, biennial or perennial.