Flowering Plants, COS-ENC
Angiosperm, any of about 300,000 species of flowering plants, the largest and most diverse group within the kingdom Plantae. Angiosperms represent approximately 80 percent of all the known green plants now living. The angiosperms are vascular seed plants in which the ovule (egg) is fertilized and develops into a seed in an enclosed hollow ovary. The ovary itself is usually enclosed in a flower, that part of the angiospermous plant that contains the male or female reproductive organs or both.
Flowering Plants Encyclopedia Articles By Title
Cosmos, genus of garden plants of the family Asteraceae, containing about 40 species native to tropical America.......
costmary, (Tanacetum balsamita), aromatic perennial herb of the aster family (Asteraceae) with yellow button-shaped......
cotoneaster, (genus Cotoneaster), any of at least 50 species of shrubs or small trees of the rose family (Rosaceae)......
cottonwood, several fast-growing trees of North America, members of the genus Populus, in the family Salicaceae,......
cow parsnip, (genus Heracleum), genus of about 60 species of flowering plants in the parsley family (Apiaceae),......
cowbane, any of several poisonous plants, including seven species of Oxypolis, in the parsley family (Apiaceae),......
cowpea, (Vigna unguiculata), annual plant within the pea family (Fabaceae) grown for its edible legumes. The plants......
coyotillo, (Karwinskia humboldtiana), woody shrub of the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) that is native to the southwestern......
crabapple, any of several small trees of the genus Malus, in the rose family (Rosaceae). Crabapples are native......
crabgrass, (genus Digitaria), genus of about 220 species of grasses in the family Poaceae. Several species, notably......
cranberry, any of several small creeping or trailing plants of the genus Vaccinium (family Ericaceae) and their......
crape myrtle, Shrub (Lagerstroemia indica) of the loosestrife family, native to China and other tropical and subtropical......
Crassulaceae, the stonecrop family of about 30 genera and 1,400 species of perennial herbs or low shrubs, the largest......
creamcups, (Platystemon californicus), annual plant of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), native to western North......
creeping bent, (Agrostis stolonifera), perennial grass of the family Poaceae, widely used as a lawn and turf grass.......
creeping Jenny, (Lysimachia nummularia), prostrate perennial herb of the primrose family (Primulaceae), native......
cress, any of several plants of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), of interest for their piquant young basal leaves,......
crocus, (genus Crocus), genus of about 75 low-growing cormose species of plants of the iris family, many of which......
Crossosomatales, rockflower order of dicotyledonous flowering plants, belonging to the basal rosid group of the......
croton, (Codiaeum variegatum), colourful-leaved plant of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) native to Malaysia and......
crowberry, (genus Empetrum), genus of three species of low evergreen shrubs of the heath family (Ericaceae). The......
crown of thorns, (Euphorbia milii), thorny plant of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native to Madagascar. Crown......
crown vetch, (Securigera varia), vigorous trailing plant of the pea family (Fabaceae), widely grown in temperate......
crucifixion thorn, either of two nearly leafless, very spiny shrubs or small trees of the southwestern North American......
Cryptanthus, genus of epiphytes (plants that are supported by other plants and have aerial roots exposed to humid......
cuckoopint, (Arum maculatum), tuberous herb of the arum family (Araceae), native to southern Europe and northern......
cucumber, (Cucumis sativus), creeping plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), widely cultivated for its edible......
Cucurbitaceae, the gourd family of flowering plants, belonging to the order Cucurbitales and containing 98 genera......
Cucurbitales, small order of flowering plants containing seven families, 129 genera, and 2,295 species. It includes......
cumin, (Cuminum cyminum), annual plant of the parsley family (Apiaceae) and the spice made of its seedlike fruits.......
Cunoniaceae, family of leathery-leaved plants, in the order Oxalidales, comprising 26 genera of shrubs and trees,......
Cuphea, genus of more than 200 species of chiefly tropical American herbs or shrubs of the family Lythraceae. Four......
curly mesquite, (genus Hilaria), genus of about 10 species of grasses in the family Poaceae, native primarily to......
currant, any of a number of flowering shrubs of the genus Ribes (family Grossulariaceae) and their edible fruits.......
custard apple, (genus Annona), genus of about 170 species of small trees or shrubs of the family Annonaceae, native......
cyclamen, (genus Cyclamen), genus of more than 20 species of flowering perennial herbs of the primrose family (Primulaceae)......
Cyclanthaceae, the Panama hat palm order of monocotyledonous flowering plants, which has 11 genera of mostly stemless,......
cymbidium, (genus Cymbidium), genus of 50–70 species of tropical and subtropical orchids (family Orchidaceae).......
Cyperaceae, sedge family of monocotyledonous flowering plants, a division of the order Poales. The Cyperaceae are......
cypress vine, (Ipomoea quamoclit), tropical American twining climber naturalized in southern North America. It......
Dactylorhiza, genus of about 30 species of terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae) with palmately lobed root tubers.......
daffodil, (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), bulb-forming plant in the amaryllis family, widely cultivated for its showy,......
dahlia, (genus Dahlia), genus of about 40 species of flowering plants in the aster family (Asteraceae), native......
daikon, (Raphanus sativus, variety longipinnatus), type of radish (family Brassicaceae) native to East Asia and......
daisy, any of several species of flowering plants belonging to the aster family (Asteraceae). The name daisy commonly......
dame’s rocket, (Hesperis matronalis), herbaceous plant of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Native to Eurasia,......
dandelion, weedy perennial herb of the genus Taraxacum of the family Asteraceae, native to Eurasia but widespread......
Daphne, genus of about 50 species of flowering shrubs of the mezereum family (Thymelaeaceae) native to Eurasia......
darnel, noxious weed of the ryegrass (q.v.) genus...
date palm, (Phoenix dactylifera), tree of the palm family (Arecaceae) cultivated for its sweet edible fruits. The......
Datiscaceae, family of the squash order (Cucurbitales) of flowering plants, with one genus. Datisca cannabina,......
datura, (genus Datura), genus of about nine species of poisonous flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).......
dayflower, any member of the genus Commelina (family Commelinaceae), which includes about 100 species of weak-stemmed......
daylily, any plant of the genus Hemerocallis of the family Hemerocallidaceae, consisting of about 15 species of......
Dendrobium, genus of as many as 1,500 species of epiphytic orchids (family Orchidaceae). Dendrobium species are......
devil’s backbone, (Euphorbia tithymaloides), succulent plant of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native from......
dewberry, any of several species of trailing blackberries of the genus Rubus in the rose family (Rosaceae). Dewberries......
Dicentra, genus of eight species of flowering plants of the poppy family (Papaveraceae). The genus features a number......
Dichondra, any of several species of low, creeping plants of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) that are......
Didymelales, order of dicotyledonous flowering plants comprising the family Didymelaceae, with one genus (Didymeles)......
dika, (Irvingia gabonensis), tree of the family Irvingiaceae, native to western Africa, and its edible seeds. The......
dill, (Anethum graveolens), annual or biennial herb of the parsley family (Apiaceae) and its dry fruit and leaves......
Dilleniaceae, family of flowering plants (order Dilleniales), with 11 genera and about 300 species of trees, shrubs,......
Dioscoreaceae, the yam family of the flowering plant order Dioscoreales, consisting of 4 genera and 870 species......
Dioscoreales, the yam order of flowering plants, belonging to the monocotyledons (characterized by a single seed......
Diospyros, genus of some 500 species of trees and shrubs of the family Ebenaceae, most of which are native to the......
Dipsacales, teasel or honeysuckle order of flowering plants, containing 46 genera and about 1,090 species, which......
Dipterocarpaceae, family of largely South Asian and African timber trees, in the hibiscus, or mallow, order (Malvales),......
Disa, genus of about 175 species of terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae). They grow in marshes and grasslands......
dittany, any of several plants, including European dittany (gas plant; Dictamnus albus), American dittany (common......
diviner’s sage, (Salvia divinorum), hallucinogenic plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae) endemic to the highlands......
dodder, (genus Cuscuta), genus of about 145 species of leafless, twining, parasitic plants in the morning glory......
dogwood, (genus Cornus), genus of shrubs, trees, and herbs in the dogwood family (Cornaceae), native to Europe,......
Donatia, the only genus of the family Donatiaceae, of the aster order (Asterales), containing two species of small......
donkey orchid, (genus Diuris), genus of about 60 species of terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae). One species......
dove tree, (species Davidia involucrata), small flowering tree, in the family Nyssaceae, with showy creamy bracts......
Dracaena, genus of about 170 species of flowering plants in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Members of the......
dragonhead, (genus Dracocephalum), genus of about 70 species of plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Dragonheads......
dragon’s-mouth, (Arethusa bulbosa), species of terrestrial orchid (family Orchidaceae) found only in North American......
Droseraceae, sundew plant family, consisting of three genera and some 155 species of carnivorous plants in the......
dumb cane, (Dieffenbachia seguine), herbaceous plant of the arum family (Araceae), commonly grown as a houseplant.......
durian, (Durio zibethinus), tree of the hibiscus, or mallow, family (Malvaceae) and its large edible fruit. The......
durum wheat, (species Triticum durum), hard wheat (q.v.) producing a glutenous flour. The purified middlings of......
Dutchman’s breeches, (Dicentra cucullaria), herbaceous plant of the poppy family (Papaveraceae) named for its sprays......
Dutchman’s-pipe, (Aristolochia durior), climbing vine of the birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae), native to central......
dwarf mistletoe, any plant that is a member of the genus Arceuthobium (family Viscaceae), which contains about......
Dyckia, genus of usually stemless plants of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae), consisting of about 80 South American......
earthnut, (Conopodium majus), European plant of the carrot family (Apiaceae), so called because of its edible tubers.......
Easter cactus, (Hatiora gaertneri), popular spring-flowering cactus (family Cactaceae), grown for its bright red......
echeveria, (genus Echeveria), genus of about 150 species of succulent plants in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae),......
edelweiss, (Leontopodium alpinum), perennial plant of the family Asteraceae, native to alpine areas of Europe and......
eelgrass, (genus Zostera), genus of about 15 species of marine plants of the family Zosteraceae. Found in temperate......
eggplant, (Solanum melongena), tender perennial plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its edible......
Elaeagnaceae, the oleaster family of flowering plants (order Rosales), comprising 45–60 species in 3 genera. The......
Elatinaceae, family of flowering plants, in the order Malpighiales, comprising two genera of mostly aquatic herbs.......
elderberry, (genus Sambucus), genus of about 10 species of shrubs and small trees in the family Adoxaceae. Most......
elephant’s-foot, (Dioscorea elephantipes), odd-looking twining plant of the yam family, characterized by a large,......
elm, (genus Ulmus), genus of about 35 species of forest and ornamental shade trees of the family Ulmaceae, native......
Elodea, genus of five or six species of submerged aquatic plants in the frog’s-bit family (Hydrocharitaceae), useful......
enchanter’s nightshade, any herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Circaea, in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae),......
