Catkin: Difference between revisions
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[[image:Ament_inflorescence.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A male catkin on a [[willow]] (''Salix'' sp)]] |
[[image:Ament_inflorescence.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A male catkin on a [[willow]] (''Salix'' sp)]] |
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[[image:Weidenkätzchen 3.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A male flowering catkin on a [[willow|sallow]] (''Salix'' spp)]] |
[[image:Weidenkätzchen 3.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A male flowering catkin on a [[willow|sallow]] (''Salix'' spp)]] |
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A '''catkin''' or '''ament''' is a slim, cylindrical flower cluster, with inconspicuous or no petals, usually [[wind]]-[[pollination|pollinated]] ([[anemophily|anemophilous]]) but sometimes insect pollinated (as in ''[[Salix]]''). They contain many, usually [[plant sexuality|unisexual]] flowers, arranged closely along a central stem which is often drooping. They are found in many [[plant]] families, including [[Betulaceae]], [[Fagaceae]], [[Moraceae]], and [[Salicaceae]]. For some time, they were believed to be a key [[synapomorphy]] among the proposed [[Hamamelididae]], but it is now believed that this flower arrangement has arisen independently by [[convergent evolution]] on a number of occasions. |
A '''catkin''' or '''ament''' is a slim, cylindrical [[flower]] cluster, with inconspicuous or no [[petal |petals]], usually [[wind]]-[[pollination|pollinated]] ([[anemophily|anemophilous]]) but sometimes insect pollinated (as in ''[[Salix]]''). They contain many, usually [[plant sexuality|unisexual]] flowers, arranged closely along a central stem which is often drooping. They are found in many [[plant]] families, including [[Betulaceae]], [[Fagaceae]], [[Moraceae]], and [[Salicaceae]]. For some time, they were believed to be a key [[synapomorphy]] among the proposed [[Hamamelididae]], but it is now believed that this flower arrangement has arisen independently by [[convergent evolution]] on a number of occasions. |
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In many of these plants only the male flowers form catkins, and the female flowers are single ([[hazel]], [[oak]]), a cone ([[alder]]) or other types ([[mulberry]]). In other plants (such as [[poplar]]) both male and female flowers are borne in catkins. |
In many of these plants only the male flowers form catkins, and the female flowers are single ([[hazel]], [[oak]]), a cone ([[alder]]) or other types ([[mulberry]]). In other plants (such as [[poplar]]) both male and female flowers are borne in catkins. |
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Revision as of 09:15, 24 March 2009
A catkin or ament is a slim, cylindrical flower cluster, with inconspicuous or no petals, usually wind-pollinated (anemophilous) but sometimes insect pollinated (as in Salix). They contain many, usually unisexual flowers, arranged closely along a central stem which is often drooping. They are found in many plant families, including Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Moraceae, and Salicaceae. For some time, they were believed to be a key synapomorphy among the proposed Hamamelididae, but it is now believed that this flower arrangement has arisen independently by convergent evolution on a number of occasions.
In many of these plants only the male flowers form catkins, and the female flowers are single (hazel, oak), a cone (alder) or other types (mulberry). In other plants (such as poplar) both male and female flowers are borne in catkins.
Catkin-bearing plants include many other trees or shrubs such as birch, willow, hickory, sweet chestnut and sweetfern (Comptonia), and also some herbaceous plants such as nettle.
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