Pollen cells, n. The grains of pollen; each grain is a separate cell.
Polypetalous, a. From two Greek words meaning “many” and “leaf.” Said of a flower having two or more separate petals.
Potash, n. A combination of potassium, carbon, and oxygen. Potash in various forms is found in all plants.
Potassium, n. A substance found in combination with other things in the earth’s crust, and in the form of potash, an important factor in the substance of plants and animals.
Potato, n. One of the edible tubers of the potato plant. The potato is a swollen underground stem, the eyes being the nodes. The potato contains a large amount of starch and is a valuable food. The potato plant is a native of the Andes. It was taken to England from Virginia in 1856.
Prickles, n. A.-S. prica, a sharp point; small, sharp-pointed growths from the bark of plants.
Primitive, a. L. primus, first; pertaining to the beginning or origin of a thing. In botany, beginning to take form, applied to an organ or structure that is just beginning to assume form.
Primus, n. L. primus, first; a name given in this book to a suppositional plant.
Probing, n. L. probare, to test, examine; examining by means of a long, pointed instrument or probe. The bee or butterfly probes for nectar with its long tongue.
Protean, a. Pertaining to Proteus; readily assuming different shapes.