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Glossary C

Calcifuge

Also known as ericaceous. It is a term used to describe a plant, which will suffer from iron deficiency when grown on alkaline soils.

Calcium

(Ca) A macronutrient. Calcium forms a crucial part of plant cell wall structure, strengthening and allowing for normal transfer of other elements. Sources of calcium are dolomitic lime, gypsum, and superphosphate.

Calyx

The collective name for a ring or whorl of sepals, which may be coloured and petal-like or green. They help to protect the flower in bud.

Canker

A fungal disease associated with apple trees, but also affecting many other trees. It causes damage to the bark in the form of lesions. These can be cut out and treated to prevent further spread and damage.

Carnivorous Plants

Plants that acquire some or most of their nutrients from ensnaring and consuming animals, mainly insects.

Carpel

A term used to describe the entire female reproductive organ of a flower. This includes the ovary, stigma and style. It may be singular or many.

Catch Crops

Where a rapid growing crop is grown either between two main crops before they mature and fill the space, or when no main crops are being grown.

Cell

A cell is the smallest structural/functional unit of a living organism. It consists of a nucleus and cytoplasm encased in a membrane.

Chloride

(Cl) A micronutrient. Aids plant metabolism.  Chloride is found in the soil.

Chlorophyll

The pigment in plants that makes them green, which absorbs sunlight in the process of photosynthesis.

Chloroplast

An organelle found within a plant cell, which contains chlorophyll, within which photosynthesis occurs.

Chlorosis

Appears as pale green, yellow or yellow/white foliage, caused by iron deficiency in lime-rich soils, disease or lack of light.

Chromosomes

A threadlike structure, made of protein and DNA, located inside the nucleus of plant and animal cells. It contains genetic information to make that specific organism in the form of genes.

Classification

A method by which taxonomists, botanists and biologists group and categorise organisms based on their shared descent. They’re ordered as follows:

Life = divided into…

Domain = divided into…

Kingdom = split into…

Phylum = split into…

Class = a group of connected orders…

Order = a group of closely associated families…

Family = a group of genera…

Genus = a group of closely related species, that can often interbreed…

Species = a group of individuals that can interbreed and produce viable offspring.

Clay Soil

Clay soils will consist of more than 30% fine clay particles. You will find they tend to swell and contract as they become wet and dry. They tend to take longer to warm up when cold and are more easily damaged when cultivated if they are wet.

Climbing Rose

Climbing roses are varieties that will grow tall enough to use in the garden for covering walls, fences and arches etc. Unlike rambling roses they tend to have larger flowers and often repeat flower, but on the whole are not as vigorous.

Cloche

A translucent cover places over plants outdoors to protect or force them.

Clone

An individual or group of plants, which is/are genetically identical to a single parent plant and have been produced by non-sexual means.

Cold Frame

A structure used to protect and/or harden off outdoor plants. It consists of a solid frame covered with glass or plastic, allowing sunlight to penetrate it, warming during the day, and retaining the heat at night.

Corm

A storage organ located below ground, comprising a small, vertical, swollen portion of stem protected by a layer of skin known as a tunic, with at least one growing point. Corms are planted like bulbs. Examples include Crocosmia, Gladioli, Crocuses and Colchicum.