pappus

pap·pus  (pps)

n. pl. pap·pi (pp)

A modified calyx, composed of scales, bristles, or featherlike hairs, in plants of the composite family, such as the dandelion and the thistle.

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[Latin, old man, down on certain seeds, from Greek pappos; see papa in Indo-European roots.]

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pappose (-s), pappous (-s) adj.

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pappus [ˈpæpəs]

n pl pappi [ˈpæpaɪ]

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) a ring of fine feathery hairs surrounding the fruit in composite plants, such as the thistle; aids dispersal of the fruits by the wind

[via New Latin, from Greek pappos grandfather, old man, old man's beard, hence: pappus, down]

pappose , pappous adj

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pappus  (pps)

Plural pappi (pp)

A structure made of scales, bristles, or featherlike hairs that is attached to the seeds (called cypselae) of plants of the composite family and that aids in dispersal by the wind. The downy part of a dandelion or thistle seed is a pappus. The pappus is derived from a modified calyx.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pappus - calyx composed of scales or bristles or featherlike hairs in plants of the Compositae such as thistles and dandelions calyx - (botany) the whorl of sepals of a flower collectively forming the outer floral envelope or layer of the perianth enclosing and supporting the developing bud; usually green thistledown - pappus of a thistle consisting of silky featherlike hairs attached to the seed-like fruit of a thistle