Glossary of Gardening Terms

Index M

Manure:   Organic matter, excreted by animals, which is used as a soil amendment and fertilizer. Green manures are plant cover crops which are tilled into the soil.
Maquis:
   Habitat consisting of dense shrub thickets, particular to Mediterranean countries.
Marginal:(Aquatic)
   Plant that requires permanently moist conditions, from pure mud to water 30-45cm (12-18 inches) deep.
Maritime Climate:
   Weather conditions experienced in coastal regions.
Meristem:
   A localised region of active cell division. Apical meristems are found at the tips of stems and roots. The lateral meristem (cambium) is found just under the bark in trees.
Mesocarp:
   The middle layer of the pericarp.
Mesoclimate:
  An area of locally moderated climate somewhat larger than a microclimate, such as within a large city.
Microclimate:
  A small area in which the climate is altered by some localised factor.
Micropropagation:
   Propagation undertaken in tissue culture.
Middle lamella:
   A gel-like pectin layer between adjacent plant cell walls.

Midrib:

Midvein:

   Primary, usually central, vein running from the stalk to the tip of a leaf or leaflet.
Mildew:
   Small parasitic fungi forming a loose growth of filaments on the host plant.

Mist:

Mist Propagation:

   Irrigation of cuttings by automatic overhead watering to prevent wilting.
Mitochondria:
   Organelles in which respiration takes place.
Mixed Border:
   Area of ground n which herbaceous plants, annuals, bulbs and shrubs are grown.
Monocarpic:
   Plants that fruit or flower once and then die.
Monocotyledon:
   Angiosperm with a single seed leaf, parallel-veined leaves, no cambian layer, and floral parts usually in threes.
Monoecious:
   The condition of having separate male and female flowers present on the same plant.
Monopodial:
   Refers to a stem or rhizome growing indefinitely from an apical or terminal bud, not usually producing secondary branches.
Monotypic:
   Having one type or representative, e.g. a genus with one species.
Mound Layering:
   Method of propagation whereby the basal section of a stem is earthed up to produce new roots.
Mucronate:
   Ending in a sharp hard point.
Mulch:
  

Layer of organic material spread over soil to conserve moisture, insulate roots and improve soil structure.

Sheet mulches, such as polythene and carpet, suppress weeds, conserve moisture and can also increase ground temperature for early germination of seeds.
Multigeneric Hybrid:
   Result of crossing 3 or more genera, often over more than one generation.
Mutation:
   A sudden genetic change occurring in an organism which can be passed to subsequent generations. (Also called a 'Sport').
Mycoplasma:
  Microscopic organisms found in the phloem of diseased plants and thought to be responsible for certain plant diseases.
Mycorrhizal:
   Refers to a mutually beneficial association between a fungus and the roots of a plant.

Last updated 10 March, 2002
© copyright 1999, P. A. Owen