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quillwort

(Encyclopedia)quillwort, common name for several species of the plant genus Isoetes, which grow in ponds, slow streams, and swampy places. See Lycopodiophyta. ...

axolotl

(Encyclopedia)axolotl ăkˈsəlŏtˌəl [key], a salamander, Ambystoma mexicanum, found in certain lakes in the region of Mexico City, which reaches reproductive maturity without losing its larval characteristics. ...

botanical garden

(Encyclopedia)botanical garden, public place in which plants are grown both for display and for scientific study. An arboretum is a botanical garden devoted chiefly to the growing of woody plants. The plants in bot...

blue whale

(Encyclopedia)blue whale, a baleen whale, Balaenoptera musculus. Also called the sulphur-bottom whale and Sibbald's rorqual, it is the largest animal that has ever lived. Blue whales have been known to reach a leng...

lodgepole pine

(Encyclopedia)lodgepole pine, common name for the pine species Pinus contorta, found in the Rocky Mts. and the northwestern coast of the United States. ...

iris, in botany

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Red iris, Iris fulva iris, common name for members of the genus Iris of the Iridaceae, a family of perennial herbs that includes the crocuses, freesias, and gladioli. The family is characteriz...

gherkin

(Encyclopedia)gherkin gûrˈkĭn [key], species of gourd of the cucumber genus. ...

devilfish

(Encyclopedia)devilfish, name applied to the manta ray and to an American species of octopus. ...

bullhead

(Encyclopedia)bullhead, common name for several species of fish. See catfish; sculpin. ...

sorrel

(Encyclopedia)sorrel, name for several plants, particularly species of dock (see buckwheat) and oxalis. ...