B

Baccate: Berrylike; pulpy or fleshy.

Backcross: Crossing a hybrid with one of its parents or with one of the same genetic constitution as the parent.

Barbed: With rigid points or short lateral bristles pointing backwards.

Basic chromosome number: Closely related species have the same number of haploid chromosomes (x) or a multiple of the common basic number.

Basifixed: Attached or fixed by the base.

Berry: A juicy indehiscent fruit with the seeds immersed in pulp; usually several-seeded without a strong layer surrounding the seeds.

Biennial: A plant which flowers, fruits and dies in its second year or season.

Bifid: Cleft into two parts at the tip.

Bilabiate: Two-lipped.

Bilocular: With two compartments or cells.

Biotype: A population or race in which all the individuals have the same genetic constitution.

Bipinnate: When the primary divisions (pinnae) of a pinnate leaf are themselves pinnate.

Bisexual: Having both sexes present and functional in the same flower.

Blade: The expanded part of a leaf or petal.

Bract: A reduced leaf subtending a flower or flower stalk.

Bracteole: A secondary bract on the pedicel or close under the flower.

Bulb: An underground storage organ with a much-shortened stem bearing fleshy leaf bases or scale leaves enclosing the next year’s bud.

Bulbel: Small bulbs arising from the parent bulb. 

Bulbil: An aerial bulb or bud produced in a leaf axil or replacing the flower, which, on separation, is capable of propagating the plant.

Bullate: Surface blistered or puckered.

Bush: A low thick shrub without a distinct trunk.