Glossary: W

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wanting

Absent or nearly so.

Watch List

An uncommon or possibly rare plant taxon, suspected of being in decline, but for which information is lacking.

wetlands

Land areas with soil that is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally.

whorled

Referring to the arrangement of a node that bears 3 or more similar organs, such as leaves or flowers (compare with alternate, basal, opposite).

wing

A thin, flat projection from the side, top, or back of a structure such as a seed or flower; one of the 2 lateral petals in flowers of the Fabaceae (legume family); one of the 2 large, petaloid sepals in flowers of the Polygalaceae (milkwort family).

winter bud

The meristem (living undifferentiated cells) of branchlets and leaves during the dormant season; sometimes covered by one or more protective scales.

woody

Plants with secondary growth, with stems that thicken each year by adding new tissue. The outermost layer of the main stem consists of a hard, nonliving tissue called bark. The living parts of woody plants, such as the inner bark and buds, remain alive.