Glossary of Botanical Terms - N

N

native

naturally occurring in an area, but not necessarily confined to it; cf. endemic.

natural hybrid

a hybrid taxon produced by chance in the wild.

naturalised

describing a plant, introduced from another region, that grows and reproduces readily in competition with the natural flora.

nectar

a (usually sweet) fluid produced by the flowers of many plants, collected by bees and other insects.

nectary

(adjective nectariferous) a specialized gland that secretes nectar.

neophyte

a plant that was recently introduced to a geographic area; cf. archaeophyte.

nerve

see vein.

New World

the Americas.

node

the part of a stem where leaves or branches arise.

nomen conservandum

(Latin) a name which although, contrary to the rules of nomenclature (usually a later synonym), must be adopted.

nomen illegitimum

(Latin) see illegitimate name, a name that is superfluous at its time of publication either because the taxon to which it was applied already has a name, or because the name has already been applied to another plant.

nomen invalidum

(Latin) a name that is not validly published. (Abbreviation: nom. inval.)

nomen nudum

(Latin) a name not published in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, usually without a diagnosis or description of the entity to which it applies, and without reference to either; such a name should not be used.

nomenclature

the naming of things; often restricted to the correct use of scientific names in taxonomy; a system that sets out provisions for the formation and use of names.

noxious

of plants, containing harmful or unwholesome qualities. Applied in conjunction with 'weed' to specifically describe a plant which legislation deems harmful to the environment. Each state and territory in Australia has specific legislation governing noxious weeds.

numerous

Stamens are described as numerous when there are more than twice as many as sepals or petals.

nut

a hard, dry, indehiscent fruit, containing only one seed.

nutlet

a small nut, one of the lobes or sections of the mature ovary of some members of the Boraginaceae, Verbenaceae, and Lamiaceae.