panicle

[pan-i-kuhl]

noun

Botany.

1. a compound raceme.

2. any loose, diversely branching flower cluster.

panicle

/ ˈpænɪkəl /

noun

1. a compound raceme, occurring esp in grasses

2. any branched inflorescence

panicle

1. A branched indeterminate inflorescence in which the branches are racemes, so that each flower has its own stalk (called a pedicel) attached to the branch. Oats and sorghum have panicles.

2. See illustration at inflorescence

Other Word Forms

• panicled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of panicle¹

1590–1600; < Latin pānicula tuft (on plants), diminutive of pānus thread wound on a bobbin, a swelling, ear of millet < Doric Greek pânos ( Attic pênos ) a web; -i-, -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of panicle¹

C16: from Latin pānicula tuft, diminutive of panus thread, ultimately from Greek penos web; related to penion bobbin

Example Sentences

Of the 18 rice varieties being trialed at the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, some are green, some have flowered or display curved golden panicles heavy with grains.

Read more on Salon

By summer, the dark green leaves provide a foil for pyramidal panicles of white flowers that gradually age to pink.

Read more on Seattle Times

In its natural form, Mr. Hinkley said, the typical hydrangea flower can be either a flattened lacecap or a cone-shaped panicle, “both possessing the sterile florets that act as notice to passing pollinators.”

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Grandiflora is the classic and hulking variety, but others have been developed for a more refined habit and attractive flower panicles.

Read more on Washington Post

The sterling tree of the moment is the yellowwood, a medium-size shade tree with beechlike gray bark, a pleasing symmetric outline and panicles of delicate but showy white flowers that announce its leguminous clan.

Read more on Washington Post