Word Wise

Definitions for terms used in this issue...

1-2-3 rule (See Things to Expect) - a useful rule of thumb for watering plants: water small plants such as groundcovers and annuals to a depth of 1 foot; shrubs to a depth of 2 feet, and trees to a depth of 3 feet.

ambient (See Papaya) - existing or present on all sides; encompassing; as in ambient air pressure.

biodiversity (See Ironwood) - biological diversity in an environment as indicated the number of different species of plants and animals.

chelate (See Things to Expect) - to combine (a metal ion) with a chemical compound to form a ring.; a compound having a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions.

crown rot (See Papaya) - any of several mostly fungal diseases of plants characterized by a rotting of the stem near ground level.

damping off (See Papaya) - destruction of seedlings by one or a combination of pathogens that weaken the stem or root.

ecosystem (See Ironwood) - the complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit in nature.

ephemeral (See Ironwood) - transient; short-lived.

ferruginous (See Ironwood) - rust-colored.

forage (See Ironwood) - to search for provisions; food taken by browsing or grazing.

herbaceous (See Papaya) - having the characteristics of an herb (no above-ground woody stems); not woody.

hermaphroditic (See Papaya) - with pistils and stamens in the same flower; bi-sexual; perfect.

keystone (See Ironwood) - wedge-shaped piece of the crown of an arch that locks the other pieces together in place; something on which associated things rely for support.

mulch (See Things to Expect) - protective covering, as of sawdust, compost, or gravel, spread or left on the ground to reduce evaporation, maintain even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds, or enrich the soil.

pinnate (See Ironwood) - resembling a feather, as in a compound leaf with leaflets arranged on opposite sides of an elongated axis (stem).

propagation (See Ironwood) - the act of extending; to cause to increase through sexual or asexual reproduction.

root rot (See Papaya) - any of various plant diseases characterized by decay of the roots and caused esp. by fungi.

scarification (See Ironwood) - the act of cutting or softening the outer layer of a hard seed to hasten germination.

semi-evergreen (See Ironwood) - tending to be evergreen in a mild climate, but deciduous in a rigorous climate.

taproot (See Things to Expect) - the main root of a plant, usually stouter than the lateral roots and growing straight downward from the stem.

verdin (See Ironwood) - small yellow-headed titmouse found from Texas to California and southward.

Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer Information
Last Updated July 28, 2003
Author: Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040,
Voice: (602) 470-8086 ext. 301, Fax (602) 470-8092