Definitions M thru R

MACRANTHUS (ma-KRAN-thus) - Broad or large flowered.
MACROCERAS (ma-KROH-ser-us) - Long-horned.
MACROCHILUS (ma-kroh-KY-lus) - Broad or large lipped.
MACROSTACHIUS (ma-kro-STACK-i-us) - Having long spikes.
MACULATE (MAK-u-late) - Marked with spots, blotched or mottled.
MACULE (MAK-yule) - The color spot or mask on the base of the lip in Miltonias.
MAJALIS (ma-JAY-lis) - Flowering in May.
MAJOR (MAY-jer) - Large compared to others of the same genus.
MAJUS (MAY-jus) - Large compared to others of the same genus.
MALQUIQUE (mal-KEE-ke) - Mexican term for tree fern and for tree fern fiber.
MAMMILLATE (MAM-mil-late) - Having nipple-shaped processes.
MARCESCENT (mar-SES-ent) - Withering without falling off.
MARCOTTAGE (MAR-ko-tazh) - The method of vegetative propagation in which a ball of sphagnum moss is bound about the stem of a plant to furnish a congenial medium for the growth of roots.
MARGINATE (MAR-ji-nate) - Furnished with a margin or border of distinct character.
MARGINATUS (MAR-jin-ay-tus) - When flat surface has an edge of a different color.
MARMORATE (MAR-mae-rate) - Variegated or lined like marble.
MARMORATUS (See MARMORATE)
MATUTINUS (ma-TEW-tin-us) - Morning flowering.
MAXILLARIS (MAKS-si-lay-ris) - Resembling jaws.
MAXIMUS (MAK-si-mus) - The largest of its group.
MEDIUM (germinating) - A nutrient substance upon which orchid seeds are germinated under sterile or aseptic conditions.
MEDIUM (potting) - The material in which an orchid plant is grown under cultivation, it may be organic such as fir bark or inorganic such as lava rock.
MELEAGRIS (MEL-ee-AY-gris) - Spotted like a Guinea fowl.
MEMBRANACEOUS (MEM-bray-NAY-shus) - Thin and pliable, often semient as many leaves.
MEMBRANOUS (MEM-bra-nus) - Pliable and thin, transparent and usually not green.
MENTUM (MEN-tum) - A basal projection in certain orchids, formed by the sepals and extended foot of the column.
MERICLONE (MER-i-clone) - A plant derived from tissue culture that is identical to its parent.
MERISTEM (MER-i-stem) - Embryonic or undifferentiated tissues, the cells of which are capable of active division. The actively growing tissue of a plant, used for artificial cloning.
MESIC (mes-IK) - Constantly moist.
MESOCHILE (ME-so-kile) - The central portion of the labellum in certain orchids.
MESOPHYLL (MES-o-fill) - This thin walled cell tissue of a leaf-blade; a photosynthetic tissue, concerned with the gaseous exchange with the atmosphere.
MESOPHYTE (MES-o-fite) - Plant growing under average conditions of moisture and in a temperate climate.
MICROCHILUS (MY-kro-ky-lus) - Small-lipped.
MICROPYLE (MY-kro-pile) - The point on the seed through which impregnation takes place; point on the seed marking the orifice of the ovule.
MITOSIS (my-TOE-sis) - The usual, and more complex, of the two methods in which cells of animals and plants multiply.
MONILIFORM (mo-NIL-i-form) - Constricted at intervals along its length; like a string of beads.
MONILIFORMIS (mo-NIL-i-form-is) - Necklace-like.
MONOCOTYLEDONS (mon-o-kot-i-LEE-duns) - Any seed plant having a single cotyledon or seed leaf.
MONOECIOUS (mo-NEE-shus) - With unisexual flowers of both sexes appearing in one plant.
MONOMORPHIC (mon-o-MOR-fik) - In mycology, producing spores of one kind or form.
MONOPHYLETIC (mon-o-FILE-e-tik) - Derived from a single ancestrial line.
MONOPHYLLOUS (mon-o-FILL-us) - Composed of a single leaf as opposed to bifoliate.
MONOPODIAL (mono-PO-di-al) - With growth continuous from a terminal upright leader. Orchids which grow upward from a single stem producing leaves and flowers along that stem.
MONOPODIUM (mono-PO-di-um) - A single axis from which all lateral branches rise.
MONOSTICHOUS (mo-NOS-ti-kus) - Arranged in a single row, or on one side of an axis.
MONOTYPIC (mo-no-TIP-ik) - Contains only one; a genus with one species.
MORPHOLOGY (mor-FOL-o-ji) - The branch of biology which deals with the form and structure of plants and animals without regard to functional processes.
MOSCIFERA (mohs-ki-FER-a) - Bearing flies, alluding to the resemblance of some flowers to flies.
MUCRONATE (MEW-kro-nate) - Ending abruptly in a sharp point.
MULTIGENERIC (MUL-tee-jen-AIR-ik) - A plant that has resulted from crossing several genera.
MURICATE (MU-ri-kate) - With sharp points or prickles.
MUTATION (mu-TAY-shun) - Alteration of the chromosomal material. The majority of mutations are changes of individual genes.
MYCELIUM (my-SEE-li-um) - Vegetative part of a fungus, composed of threads or thready tissue.
MYCORRHIZA (mi-ko-RYE-za) - a fungus that invades the root tissues and forms a symbiotic relationship with it. The fungus digests organic matter, making it easier for the plant to absorb, and the fungus is assured access to moisture.
MYRIANTHUS (mir-i-AN-thus) - Innumerable-flowered.
NAVICULAR (na-VIK-yew-lar) - Boat-shaped; cymbiform.
NECROTIC (nec-ROT-ik) - The condition of cells and tissues killed through disease or injury.
NECTAR (NEK-tar) - The saccharine secretion of a plant which attracts the insects that pollinate the flower.
NECTAREOUS (nek-TAR-e-us) - Resembling nectar.
NECTARIFEROUS (nek-tar-IF-er-us) - Having nectar.
NECTARY (NEK-tar-i) - A nectar secreting organ or part such as the spurs of many orchids.
NEOTROPICAL (NEE-o-TROP-i kal) - Of, pertaining to or designating the region comprising South America, the West Indies and tropical North America.
NEPHROID (NEF-roid) - Kidney-shaped, reniform.
NERVOSE (NUR-vose) - Sinewy, vigorous, prominently nerved.
NEUTRAL (NEW-tral) - A chemical condition of water or moist soil in which acid and alkaline constituents are exactly balanced; pH 7.
NITIDUS (NIT-id-us) - Shining, lustrous, bright.
NITRIFICATION (NYE-tri-fi-KAY-shun) - Conversion of organic nitrogen compounds in soil to inorganic compounds (as ammonium salts or as nitrates) - available to plants by the cumulative action of a succession of soil micro-organisms.
NOBILIS (NO-bee-leez) - Remarkable for fine qualities.
NOCTURNUS (nok-TUR-nus) - Night blooming.
NODE - A joint on a stem or pseudobulb from which a leaf or growth originates.
NODOSE (NOH-dose) - Knobby or knotty.
NODOSUS (noh-DOSE-us) - Having many joints or nodes.
NOMENCLATURE (noh-men-CLAY-chure) - Names referring individuals to groups of related members according to a binomial system.
NUCLEOLUS (noo-klee-OH-lus) - The central denser structures of a cell.
NUTRIENT (NEW-tree-ent) - A chemical needed for growth, or a substance providing such.
NUTRIENT SOLUTION A water solution of chemicals or natural substances required for growth or germination.
OBCORDATE (ahb-CORD-ate) - Heart-shaped with the attachment at the apex; inversely cordate.
OBLANCEOLATE (ohb-LAN-see-o-late) - Shaped like a lance, point reversed, that is, having the tapering point next to the leafstalk.
OBLATUM (ob-LAY-tum) - an oblate spheroid. (See Ellipsoid)
OBLIQUE (ob-LEEK) - Of a leaf or leaflet, larger on one side of the midrib than on the other, i.e. asymmetrical.
OBLONG - Having the length greater than the width but not many times greater, and the sides parallel.
OBOVATE (ob-OH-vate) - Inversely ovate; inversely egg-shaped; egg-shaped with the narrower end at the base. Usually used in describing a leaf.
OBOVOID (OB-oh-void) - Ovoid with broad end toward the apex.
OBPHYRIFORM (ob-PIR-i-form) - Having the form of an inverted pear.
OBSOLESCENT (OB-soh-LES-ent) - Becoming rudimentary.
OBSOLETE (OB-so-leet) - Rudimentary or not distinct.
OBTUSE (ob-TUSE) - Blunt or rounded as a leaf with a wide apex.
OBVATE (see OBOVATE).
OCULATE (OK-u-late) - Having spots or holes resembling eyes.
OCULATUS (OK-u-la-tus) - Having spots or holes resembling eyes.
OCULUS (OK-yew-lus) - An eye; a leaf bud used as a cutting.
ODORATISSIMUS (OH-dor-a-TISS-i-mus) - Very fragrant.
ODORATUS (oh-dor-AY-tus) - Fragrant.
OFFSET (AWF-set) - A plant arising close to the base of mother plant. Synonym: keikei.
ONCIDIODES (on-sid-ee-OH-eye-dees) - Resembling an Oncidium.
ONTOGENY (on-TOJ-e-ni) - Development cycle of an organism or organ.
OPAQUE (o-PAKE) - Neither shiny nor translucent.
OPERCULATE (o-PUR-ka-late) - Lid-like, as some anthers, or furnished with a lid.
OPERCULUM (o-PUR-ka-lum) - A cap or lid to an organ shedding by circumscissle dehiscence.
OPPOSITE - attached to the stem in pairs, on opposite sides of the node.
ORBICULAR (or-BIK-u-lar) - Circular.
ORBICULATE (or-BIK-u-late) - Circular.
ORCHIDACEAE (or-ki-DAY-se-ee) - The large family of perrenial epiphytes and terrestial plants, considered the most highly developed of the monocotyledons.
ORCHIDALES (or-ki-DAY-lees) - A Lindleyan alliance including the orchids.
ORCHIDIST (OR-ki-dist) - One whose interest in orchids is primarily horticultural.
ORCHIDOLOGIST (orki-DOL-o-jist) - One who specializes in the study of orchids.
ORIFICE (OR-i-fis) - An opening.
ORNITHORHYNCHUS (or-ni-tho-RIN-kus) - Resembling the beak of a bird.
ORTHOS (OR-those) - In Greek, compounds, signifying straight.
OSMOSIS (os-MOS-sis) - Diffusion of water through a membrane which is selectively permeable to water.
OSMUNDA (os-MUN-da) - A genus of swamp fern forming large clumps or crowns.
OSMUNDINE (os-MUN-deen) - Osmunda fiber. The root system of the royal fern or cinnamon fern, used in potting orchids.
OVARY (OH-va-ri) - The part of the pistil of a flower that contains the ovules (young seeds). The swollen part of a female organ.
OVATE (OH-vate) - Shaped like an egg in two dimensions, and attached by the wider end.
OVERPOT To place in too large a pot, usually to the detriment of a plant.
OVERWATER Keeping the medium wet or too damp, thus destroying the roots and preventing the plant from absorbing needed water.
OVOID (OH-void) - Shaped like an egg, with the broader end downward.
OVULE (OH-vule) - One of the young bodies in the ovary which, upon fertilization, develop into seed; structure bearing megaspores, the site of egg cell formation and finally the site of embryo development.
OVULIFEROUS (OH-voo-LIF-er-us) - Ovule-bearing.
PACHYCAUL (PA-ki-caw`l) - An abnormally thick-stemmed plant.
PACHYPHYLLUS (PA-ki-FIL-lus) - Thick leaved.
PALMATE (PAL-mate) - Lobed, radiating like fingers.
PALUDOSE (PAL-oo-dose) - Growing in marshes.
PANDURATE (pan-DUR-ate) - Shaped like a violin; oblong.
PANDURIFORM (pan-DU R-i-form) - Fiddle-shaped.
PANICLE (PAN-i-k'l) - A compound raceme or branched cluster of flowers. A pyramidal form of inflorescence, in which the cluster is loosely branched below and gradually simpler toward the end.
PANICULATE (pan-I-kew-late) - Arranged in panicles. Indeterminate and much branched.
PAPILIONACEOUS (pa-PIL-i-a-NAY-shus) - Having an irregular corolla shaped somewhat like a butterfly.
PAPILLA (pa-PEE-la) - A small, elongated protuberance on the surface of an organ, usually an extension of one epidermal cell.
PAPILLOSE (pa-PEE-los) - Covered with, or bearing, papill[ae]
PARASITE (PAR-a-site) - A plant dependent on another plant (the host) for its nutrition.
PARTHENOCARPY (par-then-o-CAR-py) - Development of fruit without fertilization and seed formation.
PARTHENOGENESIS (par-then-I-o-JEN-I-sis) - Phase of development in which the egg-cell of a diploid gametophyte divides without fertilization. Plants so formed are maternal in genetic constitution.
PARVIFLORUS (PAR-vi-FLOR-us) - Small flowered.
PATHOGEN (PATH-oh-gen) - A disease producer.
PATHOLOGICAL (path-oh-LOJ-i-cal) - Diseased.
PATULOUS (PAT-u-lus) - Spreading, broad, loosely expanded.
PEDICEL (PED-i-sel) - The stalk of a flower. a small stalk bearing a single flower of an inflorescence; an ultimate division of a common peduncle.
PEDICELLATE (PED-i-se-late) - Borne on a pedicel, or like a pedicel.
PEDUNCLE (pe-DUN-krl) - Stalk of a flower cluster or an individual flower when that flower is the sole member of the inflorescence. The stem or stalk that supports the flower or fruit of a plant, or a cluster of flowers or fruits.
PEDUNCULARIS (pe-DUN-koo-lar-is) - Having long peduncles or flower stalks.
PELLUCID (pe-LOO-sid) - Clear or transparent.
PELORIA (pe-LOR-I-a) - Floral abnormality common in the scrophularia family by which bilabiate corollas become radially symmetrical. Also “pelory.”
PELORIC (pe-LOR-ik) - Having peloria; abnormally regular or symmetrical – applied to flowers.
PENDENT (PEN-dent) - supported from above; Hanging down; "fuchsias in hanging pots"; "pendent bunches of grapes"; dangling, hanging, suspended.
PENDULUS (PEN-doo-lus) - Drooping.
PENTADACTYLUS (pen-TA-dak-to-LUS) - Five fingered.
PENTAPLOID (PEN-ta-ploid) - Having five sets of chromosomes.
PERGAMENTACEOUS (pur-gam-men-TAY-shus) - Texture of parchment.
PERI (PEE-ri) - A prefix (from Greek) meaning around about, beyond.
PERIANTH (PER-i-anth) - The floral envelope considered as a whole, whether the calyx or corolla or both. The parts of a flower that enclose the sexual organs in the bud, normally the corolla (the combined petals) and the calyx (the sepals).
PERIANTH SEGMENTS - The sepals and petals considered separately.
PERICARP (PEAR-i-karp) - The ripened ovary.
PERISPERM (PEAR-i-spurm) - Nutritive tissue accessory to endosperm. External skin of seed.
PETAL (PET-al) - Unit of a corolla typically laminar, considered a sterile stamen; inner segments of perianth. In Orchids, one of the three petals is usually modified into a lip or labellum.
PETALOID (PET-al-OID)  - Resembling a petal, as a petal-like sepal.
PETIOLATE (PET-i-o-late) - Having a petiole.
PETIOLE (PET-i-ole) - A leaf stalk. The stalk portion of a leaf.
PETIOLULE (PET-i-o-lool) - Individual stalk of a leaflet.
pH - An expression of acidity or alkalinity with 7.0 representing the neutral point. Below is acid, above is alkaline.
PHANEROGAM (See PHENOGAM).
PHENOGAM (FEE-no-gam) - Flowering plants; seed bearing.
PHENOGAMOUS (fee-NOG-am-us) - Plants as distinguished from spore-bearing cryptogams.
PHENOLOGY (fee-NOL-o-ji) - Part of ecology concerned with correlation of climattic factors with the vegetative and reproductive development of a plant.
PHENOTYPE (FEE-no-type) - A term referring to a group fo individuals having similar external characteristics but differing in genetic composition.
PHOTOCHROME (fo-to-KROME) - A protein substance related to the flowering process. (Also - A photograph in colors.)
PHOTOPERIODISM (fot-toh-PEER-i-od-izm) - Response of the plant to length of daily exposure to light. Correct duration, combination of light and dark periods for production of flower producing hormones.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS (foh-toh-SIN-thee-sis) - The process a plant uses to produce carbohydrates and sugar from water and carbon dioxide in the air using chlorophyl-containing cells exposed to light.
PHOTOTROPISM (foh-TOT-ro-pizm) - Growth response to light, either positive when vegetative parts bend or reach towards light, or negative when turning away from light (as roots).
PHYLLOTAXY (fil-ah-TAK-si) - Leaf and flower arrangement on a stem.
PHYLOGENETICAL (phye-loh-je-NET-i-kal) - Pertaining to the race history of a type or group of organisms
PHYLOGENY (fye-LOJ-e-ni) - Evolutionary development of a population, organism, organ or tissue.
PHYTOLOGY (fye-TOL-oh-ji) - The study of plants. Botany.
PHYTOTOXICITY (fye-toh-tok-SIS-i-ty) - Toxicity to plants.
PILOSE (PYE-lose) - With long, soft hairs.
PINNATE (PIN-ate) - With leaf arrangement on both sides of a rachis in featherlike fashion.
PISTIL (PIS-til) - The seed bearing organ of the flower, consisting of the ovary, stigma and style, when present.
PISTILLATE (PIS-ti-late) - Of a flower with fertile parts represented by carpels only. The ovule-bearing organ of a seed plant.
PLATY (PLA-ti) - In Greek combinations, signifying broad or wide.
PLICATE (PLY-kate) - Folded like a fan.
PLICATILIS (ply-ka-TYE-lis) - Folded.
PLICATUS (See PLICATE).
POD - A maturing or mature ovary which may contain seed. A dehiscent fruit containing the seed.
POLLEN (POL-en) - The fertilizing grains contained in the anther.
POLLINATION (pol-i-NAY-shun) - The act of transferring pollen from an anther to a stigma.
POLLINIA (pol-i-LIN-i-a) - Masses of waxy pollen or of coherent pollen grains.
POLYANTHUS (PAH-li-AN-thus) - Many-flowered.
POLYBULBON (pol-i-BUL-bon) - Having many bulbs.
POLYGAMOUS (pol-IG-a-mis) - Bearing both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant.
POLYGAMUS (See POLYGAMOUS).
POLYMIN (POL-i-min) - A term applied to hybrids between polypoid and miniature Cymbidiums.
POLYMORPHIC (POL-i-MOR-fik) - Having or assuming various forms, character, or styles.
POLYMORPHISM (POL-i-MORE-fiz'm) - Differentiation within a population of a particular habitat as a phase of the process of selection.
POLYPLOID (POL-i-ployd) - Having several sets of chromosomes. Having more than 2 sets of matching chromosomes, such as triploids (3 sets), tetraploids (4 sets), and hexaploids (6 sets).
PORECT (po-RECKT) - Directed outward and forward; not stretched out.
POT - A container, made of baked clay, plastic or other material in which plants are grown. To plant an orchid in such a container.
POTTING - Placing an orchid plant in a container and securing it with a medium for support and growth.
PRAECOX (PREE-cox) - Early blooming.
PRAEMORSE (PREE-mors) - Jagged as if bitten off.
PRAESTANS (PREE-stanz) - Standing in front; excelling.
PRIMORDIUM (pri-MOR-di-um) - Site of active cell division initiating new growth of parts. The rudiment or commencement of any part or organ.
PROCUMBENT (proh-KUM-bent) - Trailing or lying flat, but not rooting.
PROLATUM (pro-LAY-tum) - a prolate spheroid. (See Ellipsoid)
PROLIFERATION (pro-lif-er-AY-shun) - Producing offshoots.
PROSTRATE (PROS-trate) - Lying flat on the ground.
PROTOCORM (PRO-toe-corm) - The first grown, a tuber-like body produced by a germinating orchid seed prior to the production of leaves, roots, etc.
PSEUDOBULB (SOO-do-bulb) - The solid bulbous enlargement of the stem found in many orchids. The pseudobulb functions as a water and food storage device. It does not contain concentrically arranged leaves modified for food storage.
PSEUDOBULBOUS (SOO-do-bul-bus) - Having pseudobulbs.
PUBERULENT (poo-BER-yew-lent) - Minutely downy.
PUBESCENT (pew-BES-end) - An epidermal covering of soft hair.
PULCHELLUS (pull-KEL-us) - Fair, pretty.
PUMILUS (PEW-mill-us) - Dwarf, or low-growing.
PUNCTATE (PUNK-tate) - Dotted with translucent glands or spots.
PUNCTATUS (punk-TAY-tus) - Spotted.
PYRAMIDAL (pi-RAM-i-dal) - Pyramid-shaped.
PYRIFORM (PIR-i-form) - Having the form of a pear. Pear-shaped.
QUADRATE (KWAD-rate) - Four-sided.
QUADRICORNIS (KWAD-ri-korn-is) - Four-horned.
QUADRIGENERIC (KWAD-ri-jen-er-ik) - Pertaining to four genera, primarily used to describe hybrids which contain genetic material from four different genera.
QUAQUAVERSAL (KWA-kwa-VER-sal) - Turning or dipping in any or every direction.