Thicket
Encyclopedia
A thicket is a very dense stand of tree
s or tall shrub
s, often dominated by only one or a few species
, to the exclusion of all others. They may be formed by species that shed large amounts of highly viable seed
s that are able to germinate
in the shelter of the maternal plants.
In some conditions the formation or spread of thickets may be assisted by human disturbance of an area.
Where a thicket is formed of brier
(any of a number of unrelated thorny plants), it may be called a briar patch.
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s or tall shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s, often dominated by only one or a few species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, to the exclusion of all others. They may be formed by species that shed large amounts of highly viable seed
Seed
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...
s that are able to germinate
Germination
Germination is the process in which a plant or fungus emerges from a seed or spore, respectively, and begins growth. The most common example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm. However the growth of a sporeling from a spore, for example the...
in the shelter of the maternal plants.
In some conditions the formation or spread of thickets may be assisted by human disturbance of an area.
Where a thicket is formed of brier
Brier
Briar or brier is a common name for a number of unrelated thicket-forming thorny plants, including species in these genera:* Rosa * Rubus...
(any of a number of unrelated thorny plants), it may be called a briar patch.