@RoseBlush1 described perfectly the 'little problem' I am having - I start researching and get lost having such a good time - each link leads to another until three hours later I actually forgot the original purpose of the search (my poor dog is so neglected). Sure it's hours of fun, but in the end I am no closer to the word I need to find and the dog pees on my car tires to get even.
Take for example the edges of a leaf - I would say 'looks like it was cut with pinking shears' - not very botanical, I know, and how many people even remember what pinking shears are/were? - , but heck, a person has to start somewhere! So I learn that one term to describe such a leaf would be 'serrate' but I also learn that it's not the 'edge' of the leaf but rather the 'margin'. Back up and start again..."slowly, slowly...".
For the people who studied this in college/at university it seems simple enough, but I am starting from scratch. So
to those of you who answered. I'll start by buying several books with a glossary (yep, I even had to look that word up to see what it means
) and eventually it will start to sink in. Maybe someone will see this thread and be inspired to compile the information to create a 'botanical thesaurus'.
Hope they remember to include me on the acknowledgement page.
@Leftwood, yes I agree that one needs to differentiate between the meanings. For the example you listed only hirsute and wooly (or is it woolly?) looked like 'hairy' to my brain - so much to learn
; I am trying to re-train my brain to absorb the new information. Each day I learn at least one new thing....hope I live long enough!
