Botanical Words Alphabetical List - AL

ALBUMEN: In botany, any form of nutritive matter stored within the seed. Also called endosperm.

ALKALI SOIL: 1. Highly alkaline soil with a pH of 8.5 or higher. 2. Soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in a soil.

ALKALINE SOIL: Soil with a pH value more than 7, or lime-rich. See also acid and neutral.

ALLOGAMY: The process of cross-fertilization in which the pollen of one plant fertilizes the flower of another.

ALLUVIAL SOIL: Referring to the sediment deposited by flowing water.

ALLUVIUM: Clay, silt, sand and/or gravel deposited on land by running water.

ALPINE: Connected with the Alps or any high mountains. Refers to plants growing on mountains above the tree line, which is where the climate becomes too cold for trees to grow.

ALPINE HOUSE: An unheated, well-ventilated greenhouse used for cultivating alpine and bulbous plants.

ALTERNATE (of leaves): Occurring at different levels on opposite sides of a stem. No two leaves are directly across from each other.

ALUMINUM: A silver-like metallic chemical element that can be found in soil.

ALUMINUM SILICATES: Compounds that contain aluminum, silicon and oxygen.

ALUMINUM SULFATE: A colorless salt used as a soil amendment to increase soil acidity.

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