P - Gardeners' glossary A-Z - gardenersworld.com

Pinnatafid/pinnatisect

A leaf that's deeply cut, but doesn't reach the midrib. That would cause the sections to form leaflets, as with pinnate leaves.

Pinnate

A compound leaf composed of parallel rows of paired leaflets that are usually attached at an angle to the main axis of the leaf. Odd-pinnate leaves have a single, terminal leaflet. Those that are lacking a terminal leaflet are referred to as paripinnate. See Bipinnate and Tripinnate.

Pinnule

One of the individual leaflets of a bipinnate leaf.

Pistil

The female reproductive organs of a flower, comprising ovary, style and stigma. The pistil may be simple (a single carpel) or compound (a group of carpels).

Pistillate

A flower having only female reproductive organs.

Plicata

Pertaining to iris flowers, which have a base colour of white or yellow, with stippled or feathered edges of a contrasting colours.

Plicate

Folded or pleated, as in the leaves of the snowdrop.

Plug plant

A small but well-rooted seedling raised in a cellular tray. These plants are particularly useful for covering large areas.

Plume

A feathery inflorescence, usually of a grass or astilbe.

Plumose

Plume-like, feathery.