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Native Plants
  • Home
  • Where to Begin
    • Ecological Introduction
    • Reduce Your Lawn
    • Reduce Negative Impacts
    • Plant Native Plants
    • Create Soft Landings
    • Leave the Leaves
    • Consider Signage
    • Dealing with HOA's
    • EcoRegion vs. Plant Zones
  • Native Plant Sources
    • United States
  • Video Resources
    • Natives and Cultivars
    • Moths and Butterflies
    • Birds, Bats and Bees
    • Lawn Conversions
    • Let's Talk Plants
  • Presenters
    • Doug Tallamy
    • Desirée L. Narango
    • Heather Holm
    • Rebecca McMakin
    • Drew Lathin
    • Uri Lorimer
    • Joey Santore
  • Resources
    • Garden Stories
  • News

Find Plants

There are 217 entries in this glossary.
Search for glossary terms (regular expression allowed)

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Term Definition
compost

Decomposed organic material used to improve soil structure, fertility, and biological activity.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 14
Conservation Landscaping

Landscaping designed to protect natural resources, reduce maintenance, and support local ecosystems.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 18
Conventional Landscaping

Conventional landscaping is a traditional style of yard and property management that focuses primarily on appearance, uniformity, and neatness, often using non-native plants, large lawns, and chemical inputs to maintain a manicured look.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 69
Courtship

Behavior used to attract a mate, including songs, displays, dances, and gift-giving.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 20
Cover Crop

Plants grown primarily to protect and improve soil health rather than for harvest.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 19
Coverts

Small feathers that cover the bases of larger wing and tail feathers.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 19
Crepuscular

Active primarily during dawn and dusk.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 20
Cultivar

A cultivated variety of a plant selected for specific characteristics. Some cultivars may offer less value to pollinators than straight native species.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 29
Dark-Sky Landscaping

Landscape and outdoor-lighting practices that minimize unnecessary artificial light and reduce impacts on nocturnal wildlife.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 9
Deadheading

The removal of spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and improve garden appearance.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 21
Deadwood Habitat

Standing or fallen dead trees and branches that provide shelter, food, nesting sites, and habitat for wildlife and decomposers.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 10
Diapause

A period of suspended development that allows butterflies to survive unfavorable environmental conditions.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 20
Disturbance Ecology

The study and application of natural disturbances such as fire, flooding, storms, and grazing in ecosystem management.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 12
Down Feathers

Soft, fluffy feathers that provide insulation.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 20
Eclosion

The process of an adult butterfly exiting its chrysalis.

Author - tulamin
Hits - 23
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