catkin

Betekenis (Engels)

A type of inflorescence, consisting of an axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar.

Concepten

katje

Synoniemen

ament

amentum

bunch

cluster

pussy

😺

tag

willow catkin

Etymologie (Engels)

From Middle Dutch katteken (“catkin”, literally “little cat”), equivalent to cat + -kin. So named due to the resemblance of lengthier kinds to a kitten's tail, or, perhaps more probably, the fine fur found on some catkins (compare the pictures). Cognate with German Kätzchen, modern Dutch katje.