Bud
Terminal Bud
Bud at the end of the twig.
False Bud
Buds at nearly the end of a twig, but typically off center or “crooked” creating a zig-zag growth pattern
Lateral Buds
Buds are along the twig.
Bud or Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Buds or leaves are alternating position on the twig
Opposite
Buds or leaves are opposite of each other on the twig.
Whorled
Buds or leaves that radiate from a single point and surround the stem. A whorl consists of at least three elements. A pair of opposite leaves is not called a whorl.
Leaf Type
Simple
one leaf blade attached to a stem ending at a bud (ex: maples, oaks)
Compound
multiple leaf blades (leaflets) and can be pinnately (long; ex: ashes, walnuts) or palmately (think palm of your hand; ex: buckeyes, horsechestnut)
Leaf Edge
Margin
the edge of the a leaf or leaflet
Serrate
Generally referring to a leaf edge (margin), think of a bread knife blade
Reproductive Structures
Monoecious
Both male and female reproductive structures (flowers or cones) on an individual plant (ex: elms, pines)
Dioecious
Male and female reproductive structures (flowers or cones) on separate plants (ex: Kentucky coffeetree, ginkgo)
Other
Lenticels: small white dots or lines on bark, twigs, or fruit