saprophyte. A plant that lives on dead or decaying material. See parasite.
scape. A flower-stem rising directly from the crown of the plant at the surface of the ground or near it. A scape may have bracts.
self-fertilization or close-fertilization is fertilization by means of pollen produced in the same flower.
sepal. One of the parts or leaves of the calyx.
septicidal. A form of dehiscence or opening along the natural partitions of the capsule.
sessile. Sitting; without a stem, as a leaf without petiole, or a flower without pedicel or peduncle.
shrub. A low woody plant that does not have a distinct trunk. When a plant normally has a trunk, it is a tree.
silicle. A short, more or less circular, capsule of the mustard family.
silique. A long capsule of the mustard family.
society. An aggregation or company of plants, comprising a more or less distinct group.