Yes, a keel is the "positive" compliment to a "negative" channel or groove. I believe channeled or canaliculate refers to a sort of linear excavation of a surface, without any differentiation of tissue. This may be narrow and more easily felt than seen (some Albuca and Ornithogalum species for example) or broad as in the Crinum example. Most bulbs that are monocots have leaves more or less channeled near the base, where it meets the bulb, but the term/s are generally used where it represents an atypical condition (channeled vs. flat leaves). Where the "channels" are caused by robust venation, as in Tigridia and Babiana, the terminology (e.g., plicate) usually emphasizes the veins or ribs rather than the channels. Dylan Hannon On Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 4:38 AM, Don Journet <donjournet@netspace.net.au> wrote: > Does not keeled really refer to the underside side of the leaf? Although > the two conditions would often go together. > Don Journet > rnold Trachtenberg wrote: >> I have seen the term "keeled" used to describe something similar. >> >> Arnold >> _______________________________________________ >> pbs mailing list >> pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >> http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php >> http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ >