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basal leaves:
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leaves at the base of the plant's stem.
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biodiversity:
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the variety of life on our planet,
measurable as the variety within species,
between species, and the variety of
ecosystems
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botany:
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the study of plant life, its structure and function
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catkin:
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a flowering spike found in many woody
plants; a cluster of flowers without
petals, usually unisexual (either male or
female, not both).
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circumboreal:
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occurring in the boreal region around the
world.
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climate change:
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gradual changes in all the interconnected
weather elements on our planet.
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coniferous:
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plants that are mostly evergreen, with
narrow needle-like leaves; produce
cones for reproduction. Larch is the only
conifer that sheds all of its needles
annually.
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deciduous:
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a group of plants with leaves that fall off
at the end of the growing season (start
of the winter season in Canada).
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indicator plants:
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a plant that is recognized as a “biological
measuring stick” of its habitat; it has
brief, easily-observed growth stages,
which reflect changes in its environment
(eg. seasonal temperature increase).
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perennial:
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plants that grow and produce flowers in
successive years, from the same roots.
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phenology:
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the study of the seasonal timing of life
cycle events (changes in plants and
animals).
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