catkin
/'kætkin/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of flower cluster: A catkin is a long, thin, cylindrical cluster of small, often inconspicuous flowers, typically found on trees like willows, birches, and oaks. It lacks petals and usually hangs down from the branch.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
Advanced Usage
- "To bear catkins": Describes a tree that produces this type of inflorescence.
Variants and Related Words
- Ament: (noun) Another, more technical botanical term for a catkin.
- Catkinate: (adj) An adjective form meaning resembling or pertaining to a catkin (less common).
Synonyms
- Inflorescence: A general term for the complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers.
- Spike: A type of inflorescence with sessile flowers arranged along an unbranched axis, similar in form but not necessarily hanging.
Related Phrases
- Pendulous catkin: A catkin that hangs down loosely.
Noun
- a cylindrical spikelike inflorescence