Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM)

A carbon fixation pathway of photosynthesis that evolved in some drought resistant plants especially succulents, in arid conditions. At night CO2 enters the plant, stored in vacuoles and then released during the day for photosynthesis to occur, with four-carbon compounds initially being formed. Stomata stay closed improving the efficiency of water being used.

  Cultivated Turf

Specially sown and cultivated turf for lawns and sports surfaces. This is the only turf that should be purchased and used nowadays.

  Day-neutral Plant

A plant which does not rely on particular lengths of light or darkness to initiate flowering, which is typically in response to its stage of development or external factors such as a response to a cold period.

  Deciduous

This is a woody perennial plant, tree or shrub, that loses all of its leaves during a year, with most leaves typically being shed from the plant in autumn. If there is a prolonged early summer drought the leaf fall can occur earlier than normal. The plant is left leafless during the colder winter when there is effectively no top-growth to a plant. Examples of deciduous trees are Pedunculate (English) Oak (Quercus robur) or Beech (Fagus sylvatica), whilst deciduous shrubs can be species of Hydrangea or Spiraea.

  Decumbent Plant

A plant that grows relatively low to the ground, being generally horizontal in growth, prostrate or trailing plants, but with the ends of stems growing, or turning, upwards, especially as part of the flowering phase. The plants with this growth habit are limited, with an example being Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus).

  Dew

Surface moisture on a turf surface. Moisture in the atmosphere condenses onto grass leaves when the air is saturated with water vapour. Warmer temperatures will hold more water vapour. Dew will form when there is a cool surface temperature and it is below what is called the Dew point of the surrounding air.

  Drought Resistance

The ability of a plant to adapt to drought conditions by aiming to 1. avoid, 2. escape or 3. tolerate drought. For turfgrass comparison purposes an average rating of drought avoidance and drought tolerance can be used to give an indication of its drought resistance. This can also vary amongst cultivars within a species. A more drought resistant grass will be able to maintain surface coverage and turf strength by making necessary adjustments to its environment, giving it the capability to rapidly restart active growth once conditions become suitable. Being able to maintain adequate, but not ex

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  Erect Plant

A plant that grows in an upright direction, which is typical of many trees.

  Evergreen [2]

This is a woody perennial plant, a tree or shrub, that retains its leaves, or at least many of them, all year round. Evergreen plants shed a small number of their leaves on a regular basis and they also produce new leaves on a consistent basis, so there is an almost constant cycle of leaf shedding and renewal. Contrast this with a deciduous plant. Examples of evergreen trees are the Holm Oak (Quercus ilex), Holly (Ilex aquifolium), or Yew (Taxus baccata); whilst evergreen shrubs can be Viburnum tinus, species of Hebe or Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata).

  Fibre [2]

An uncommon term used which is sometimes used to refer to fibrous thatch.