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

/ păn′ĭ-kəl /

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

Derived Forms

• ˈpanicled, adjective

Other Words From

• pani·cled 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

Unlike the other species of the same genus, its flowers form an erect spreading panicle, and the glumes are not keeled.

From Project Gutenberg

Your case of the panicle with open flowers being sterile is parallel to that of Leersia oryzoides.

From Project Gutenberg

The pretty red or rose-coloured flowers are arranged in a very loose terminal panicle, and have no scent.

From Project Gutenberg

The flowers are sessile, in little rounded heads; the whole inflorescence forming an irregular umbel or a loose panicle.

From Project Gutenberg

The flowers are very numerous, of a bright golden yellow-colour, forming a dense, terminal panicle.

From Project Gutenberg