achene: a type of fruit that is dry and contains only a single seed, they do not dehisce to release their seed

actinorhizal: a plant that forms a mutually beneficial relationship with a bacteria that is able to convert nitrogen that is not usable by the plant into a useable form, in exchange for carbohydrates or other nutrients produced by the plant

adventitious roots: roots that develop from the stem or leaf of a plant

alkaline: a pH greater than 7

allelopathic: the chemical inhibition of plant growth from one plant to another, from germination or growth inhibitors

alternate leaf pattern: leaves occur singly, one after another, rather than in pairs or groups

alvar: a unique habitat, with almost no soil but large sheets of limestone rocks, giving rise to unique vegetation communities

arbuscular mycorrhiza: a type of fungus that lives in a plant’s roots and increases the plant’s access to water and soil nutrients in exchange for the carbohydrates or nutrients produced by the plant, a type of endomycorrhiza

arbutoid mycorrhiza: a type of mycorrhiza similar to ectomycorhiza but that penetrate the root cell. Arbutoid mycorrhiza associates with the plant family Ericaceae

Asteraceae: a large family of flowering plants, including the asters, goldenrods, fleabanes, and several others

awn: a slender bristle on the back of a glume or floret in grasses

basal leaves: the lower most leaves of the plant, often near the soil surface

berry rakes: a collection tool with multiple finger projections that help to collect certain berries and fruits

biennial: a lifecycle lasting two years

branch layering: a method of reproduction where a plant branch or stem develops roots from the buds that are in contact with the soil. This plant can then survive on its own if the branch is severed

broadcast seeding: seeds are simply scattered on the soil surface

bur: a seed appendage that is often hooked at the tip

catkins: a multi-flowered spike with scales, often unisexual either male or female

caudex: a modified, thickened plant stem found at the base of some perennial plants, it will give rise to new shoots

chaff: a general term for plant material impurities, any material that is not required by the seed to grow. This can include leaves, stem pieces, empty seed, and pieces of seed appendages

climax communities: a plant community that does not undergo major changes in plant composition unless subject to a major disturbance (late successional)

clone: produced asexually, genetically identical

cool- moist stratification: seed is placed in moist conditions typically between 1 and 5°C for a period of time from 7 to over 120 days

compound leaf: a leaf made up of several leaflets, joined at the base by a stalk or at the branch

conifers: conifers are any plant in the order Coniferales. They are typically evergreen trees or shrubs with needle or scale-like leaves

cotyledon: the upper portion of the seeds embryo. There can be one or two cotyledons and they will form the primary leaves of a seedling

cover crop: a plant grown to improve soil conditions on the site and may be planted between other crops to improve soil fertility

cultivars: a plant species, bred in cultivation to enhance certain plant traits, such as flower colour

dark septate endophytes: a group of fungi that colonize plant roots, however they are not well described and their relationship with the plant is not well understood

deciduous: does not persist, often with reference to leaves that fall off at the end of the growing season.

dehiscent fruit: a fruit or propagule that will open to release seed dioecious: a species that has male and female organs on separate plants

disc flowers: asters have two types of flowers: the disc flowers are the center portion of the seed head, often tube shaped, the ray flowers surround these and resemble petals

druplet: an individual fruit containing a seed, that makes up an aggregated fruit, such as those in raspberries and blackberries

ectendomycorrhiza: found primarily in Picea and Pinus genera, similar to both ectomycorrhiza and endomycorrhiza, associated with disturbed sites and peatlands

ectomycorrhizal: a fungus that lives on the outside of plant roots and improves nutrient uptake for plants in exchange for carbohydrates or nutrients produced from the plant

embryo: the living tissue inside the seed coat that can divide and grow to form a seedling endomycorrhiza: see arbuscular mycorrhiza

endosperm: provides the embryo with nutrients as it develops within the seed. Usually endosperms are high in starchy, oils and/or proteins, but the presence and composition of endosperm varies by species

ericoid mycorrhiza: mycorrhiza species associated in particular with plants from the family Ericaceae, forming a network of fungal hyphae inside the root cell

erosion control: the process of stopping or controlling erosion (see erosion)

erosion: the process of soil loss or movement by wind, water, or other processes

fertilization: in plants this means a pollen grain fuses with the female gamete (ovule) to form a fertile egg that can eventually develop into a seed

fibrous roots: an extensive network of fine roots that grow in many directions through the soil

fixes nitrogen: nitrogen fixation is the process by which nitrogen from the air (N2) is converted into another nitrogen compound

floret: a general term for a grass flower or seed and covering structures

follicle: a capsule-like fruit that splits open along one edge to release seed

fruit: we define fruit as both the structure that contains the seed, the seed itself and any other appendages that are attached to the seed or fruit

germinate: the emergence of the embryo through the seed coat. Once a seed germinates it can develop into a seedling if conditions are suitable

germination inhibitors: this includes any substances that stops or delays germination

gibberellic acid: a plant hormone used to enhance germination by breaking the dormancy of certain plant species

glume: a bract (often 2) at the base of a grass spikelet, containing the flowers

hardwood cuttings: cuttings taken from older growth (over 2 years), so the wood has hardened

HBL: Hudson Bay Lowlands

herbaceous plants: refers to plants without a woody stem, or with a stem that dies back every year, such as during winter

host plant: a plant that is parasitized by, or in mutual relationship with another plant or organism

hybridized: two varieties of species that have cross bred to produce another plant that contains genetic components of both parents

hygrometer: an instrument that can be used to determine moisture content in the air

hypocotyl: the portion of the embryo between the radicle and the cotyledons that will push the leaves out of the soil and form a portion of the seedling stem

IBA: indole-3-butyric acid, a plant hormone that is sold to encourage plant root development on cuttings

imbibition: the absorption of water by the seed within the seed coat

indehiscent fruit: a fruit that does not separate from its seed, examples are nuts

inflorescence: the flowering portion of a plant that also includes the stalks and stems associated with the flowers

intermediate seed: seed that can withstand some drying and temperature declines, but are still more sensitive than orthodox seed and will lose viability if dried too low

involute: rolled inwards, towards the upper leaf surface

leaf sheath: in graminoids, leaves are attached to the stem by an extension of the leaf that wraps around the stem

leaflet: a leaf division, a small separated part of the leaf that makes up a compound leaf lenticels: a small dot or line on the bark of trunks or young branches

ligule: in graminoids, a thin membranous flap found at the junction of the leaf and the stem or leaf sheath, used in the identification process

loamy sand: a soil made of a large portion sand by weight and up to 10% clay by weight

monoculture: a community or area composed of only one plant species, typical in cultivation

monoecious: a plant that has both male and female organs on one plant, but may have separate male and female flowers on the same plant

morphological dormancy: caused by underdeveloped or undifferentiated embryos at the time of seed dispersal. To break morphological dormancy the seed must be treated with conditions appropriate for embryo growth, which may be warm and/or cool stratification, depending on seed origin and species

morpho-physiological seed dormancy: this type of dormancy is the result of two dormancy causes: physiological dormancy (see physiological seed dormancy definition) and morphological dormancy

mulch: a material that provides an insulating cover to the soil surface, it is useful to reduce water loss and moderate temperatures on the soil surface

mycorrhizal: an association that a plant forms with a fungi, that is mutually beneficial. The fungi forms a network with the roots of the plant. The fungi improves access to many plant nutrients and the plant provides the fungi with sugars

native plant: a plant that originated from the place that it is growing and has grown there for many years, it was not introduced to the region by human activities such as cultivation

non-dormant seed: do not have any mechanisms stopping them from germinating. By definition they do not require pre-treatments and can be immediately planted

non-dormant: seed that can be germinated at maturity

non-mycorrhizal: a plant that can grow without being associated with an endomycorhizal or ectomycorrhizal fungus

non-native plant: introduced to a region where it previously was not found to be growing, typically introduced by humans purposefully or accidentally

nurse crop: a plant grown for the purpose of helping another plant establish

open storage conditions: conditions that are exposed to air exchanges and room temperatures

opposite branching or leaf pattern: branches and/or leaves that occur along the stem in pairs, rather than one after another

orthodox seed: seed that can be dried to a low moisture content and freezing temperatures without losing viability in contrast to intermediate and recalcitrant seed

ovule: contained within the ovary of a female flower, there is often more than one ovule per ovary and they can develop into seeds if pollinated

parasitic plant: takes nutrients and resources from another living plant or organism

perennial: a plant that lives more than two years under suitable conditions

perfect flowers: a flower that has both male (stamens) and female (pistil) organs on the same flower

pericarp: derived from the ovary wall, sometimes consisting of three layers, typically the edible portion of the fruit we consume, but there are exceptions

perigynium: an outer layer that envelopes the achene of sedge or species in the family Cyperaceae

pH: a measure of acidity and alkalinity, based on the number of hydrogen ions in solution

phyllaries: small green bracts underneath the flowering head of an aster, collectively they make up the involucre

physical seed dormancy: caused by the seed coat, fruit, or a structure that stop water from entering the seed, which is necessary for germination. To overcome physical dormancy, water must be allowed to enter the seed, often by scarification (see scarification definition)

physiological seed dormancy: is caused by a physiological mechanism inside the seed that prevents the radicle from piercing through the seed, rather than physical and or morphological features inside or outside of the seed. Physiological dormancy is further divided into three depths: non-deep, intermediate, and deep. Physiological dormancy is mostly overcome by warm and/or cool stratification

pioneer plant: frequently one of the first plant species found colonizing a site after a disturbance, such as fire, landslide, or from human activities

pistil: contains female reproductive organs including the stigma, style, and the ovary. This will eventually form a fruit and seed if they are pollinated

pollen: pollen is made up of many small grains or male gametes that can fertilize a female ovule, it is transported mostly by wind and insects

pre-treatment: refers to the conditions or handling that a seed requires before they can germinate

primocanes: a stem arising from existing stems, produced by raspberries (Rubus ssp.)

propagation: means to grow, this could include using seed or growing plants from vegetative materials, such as bulbs

provenance: the place of origin, for seed this would refer to the location that the seed was collected from

rachilla: the axis or stem of a spikelet in a grass

radicle: a radicle is a portion of the embryo that will puncture the seed coat and develop into the primary root of the seedling

ray flowers: asters have two types of flowers, the ray flowers resemble petals and surround the disk flowers

recalcitrant seed: seeds that are very sensitive to drying or moisture loss and will die if dried below a certain moisture content. They typically do not tolerate freezing temperatures, but some temperate species can be cooled without a complete loss of viability

reclamation: when referring to landscape reclamation it is the process of modifying a damaged landscape by stabilizing the terrain, making it aesthetically appealing, to a state where the site does not negatively impact the environment or human health and has a useful purpose (taken from SER international group 2004)

relative humidity: a measure of water vapour in the air relative to the possible amount of water vapour that could be held in the air at that same temperature

rhizomatous: a plant that produces rhizomes (see rhizomes)

rhizomes: a modified stem that grows horizontally underground, not a true root. Rhizomes are important for plant regeneration and spread. Frequently new plants arise from buds along the length of the rhizome

root crown: the portion of the root from which the stem arises

root cuttings: pieces of root taken for propagating new plants

rooting hormone: a plant hormone that encourages a plant stem to begin producing root cells. The base of a stem cutting and the buds are often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development

saline tolerant: able to grow and survive on soils that contain higher than average levels of salt, plants that are extremely tolerant are called halophytes

scabrous: rough to touch

scarification: involves the alteration of the seed coat, in order to allow water to enter and encourage germination. This can be done using chemicals that weaken the seed coat, by heat and by scratching the seed coat

seed coat: the hardened outer layer of a seed that protects the embryo

seed dormancy: a state where seeds are not able to germinate because of physical, physiological, morphological, hormonal, and/or chemical constraints on the seed. A dormant seed cannot germinate in conditions that are typically favourable for germination until dormancy is overcome

seed purity: the percent of actual live seed your seed lot, that does not include leaf, seed appendages, visibly empty seed, and other types of chaff. For instance if your seed lot is 100g and 78g is actual seed and 22g is from chaff and empty seed, your seed purity would be 78%

seed storage behaviour: refers to the seed’s tolerance to drying and cooling, orthodox seeds are one class and are the least sensitive, followed by intermediate, then recalcitrant seed

seeds moisture content: a measure of the moisture in the seed, measured as the weight of total moisture loss compared to the weight of the original sample, expressed as a percent

self-compatible: is able to be fertilized by its own pollen

semi-hardwood cuttings: a piece of branch cut from woody plants, typically from one or two year old growth, so the wood is still flexible but will break if bent in half

serotinous: an adaptation of cones or fruits to release their seeds late or after an environmental trigger such as fire or over a long period of time

softwood cuttings: a stem cutting taken from the young new growth of a plant, where the wood is still soft and bendable

spike: an elongated flower head with multiple flower heads attached along the stem

spikelet: the smallest unit of flower clusters on a grass, made up of one or more florets, with two bracts at the base

stamen: contains the male anther and filament that provides pollen

stem cuttings: a piece of a plant stem taken as a propagule, will be rooted to produce another plant

stigma: the upper portion of the pistil (on a female flower) that receives pollen

stipule: a small leaf like appendage that occurs at the base of the leaf stalk where it meets the stem

stolon: a branch that grows horizontally from the base of the stem

stoloniferous: produces and spreads by stolons (see stolon)

strobilus: a cone like structure that bears spores and will eventually give rise to a cone containing seeds in conifers. They are not flowers, but have a similar function in reproduction for conifers

succession: the natural change in a landscape that occurs over time, through changes in plant species and soil

suckering: method of plant reproduction, by the production of suckers, a shoot that is produced from a root or the base of the stem, genetically identical to the plant it is developing from

Tetrazolium tests: this chemical (tetrazolium chloride) reacts with a seed’s active embryo to produce a stain, if the embryo does not stain, the seed is considered non-viable (Cottrell 1948)

thicket: a dense growth of shrubby plants and stems

threshed: the separation of seed from the plant by means of hitting or rubbing materials and can be accomplished by hand, machinery, and was historically done by placing harvested material under tarps and allowing animals to walk over the plants

tillers: In grasses this is the production of new stems from existing ones, can be divided and survive on their own, or as a method of vegetative reproduction

vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza: a type of arbuscular mycorrhiza that is characterized by the formation of vesicles

vigor: a measure of health

winnowing: the use of air streams to separate heavy materials from lightweight materials, typically seed from chaff