SABADILLA: A broad-spectrum, short residual (2 days in sunlight) botanical insecticide derived from a South American lily. It can be very toxic to humans in purified form.
SABULOUS: Sandy; gritty.
SACCATE: Furnished with or having the form of a bag, pouch, or sac, as a saccate petal.
SACCIFORM: Resembling a pouch.
SAGITTATE (of leaves): Derived from sagitta, an arrow; means the leaves are shaped like arrowheads.
SALSUGINOUS: Growing naturally in soils with a high salt content; halophytic.
SALTATION: The movement of soil and mineral particles by intermittent leaps from the ground when particles are being moved by wind or water.
SALVERFORM: Noting a corolla with the outer edge spreading out flat, as in the primrose and phlox; hypocrateriform.
SAMARA: A dry, usually one-seeded fruit provided with a wing, as in the ash, elm, or birch. Also called key and key fruit.
SAMARIFORM: Having the form of a samara.
SAPROPHYTE: A plant which obtains all its nutrients from decaying matter; this may be an animal or vegetation. Saprophpytic flowering plants usually have no green color in their leaves, which are usually reduced to scales. The roots of these plants are covered by a cobweb-like growth called fungus mycelium. This isn't harmful to the plant, but helps it obtain nutrients from the decaying matter. There are a few flowering plants that are saprophytic; Monotropa and Ericceae are two. There are many saprophytic bacteria and fungi that obtain their nutrients from decaying matter and help the decaying process. The cultivated Mushroom is an example of a saprophyte as it derives its nourishment from decaying manure. A few saprophytic fungi are the causes of disease in plants.
SARCOCARP: The fleshy part of certain fruits, between the epicarp and the endocarp; mesocarp; the part of fleshy fruits usually eaten, as in the peach, plum, etc.
SARMENT: A runner; a slender running stem, as that of the strawberry.
SARMENTOSE: Having long sarments or runners; having the form or character of a runner.
SARTAGE: The clearing of woodland for agricultural purposes, as by setting fire to the trees.
SAXIFRAGOUS: Growing in the crevices of rocks and eventually splitting the rock.