Alberta Invasive Plant Identification Guide

Glossary
adventitious roots Roots appearing in an unusual or unexpected place on a
plant.
alternate Referring to a leaf or bud arrangement in which there is one bud
or one leaf at a node.
annual A plant that lives one year or less. A winter annual germinates late
one growing season and produces seed and dies during the next growing season.
basal Refers to the base of the plant.
biennial A plant that lives for two growing seasons, normally producing a
basal rosette the first year and the flower and fruit the second year.
bract A small leaf-like structure surrounding or enclosing the flower, usually
below the petals.
capsule Dry fruit with more than one seed.
clasping Partly surrounding the stem.
fibrous roots Root system with many, fine, diffuse roots.
flower head A cluster of individual flowers in one compact unit, usually referring
to compound flower of the Sunflower Family members.
inflorescence One or more flowers which comprise the flowering part of the
plant.
lobed Divided less than one-half the distance to the base or mid-vein, usually
rounded or obtuse.
midrib The central axis or vein of the leaf blade or leaflet.
noxious weeds Invasive plant which a landowner has a legal responsibility
to control, based on the Alberta Weed Act
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