Pappus
/ˈpæpəs/noun
The tuft of hairs, scales, or bristles on a seed of a composite plant, aiding in wind dispersal.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, pappos meant an old man or grandfather, and botanists borrowed it because the seed tuft can look like a wispy white beard or hair halo.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πάππος (páppos)
“Old man; grandfather.”
Late Latin
Latin
pappus
“A grandfather; later, the tuft on certain seeds.”
16th Century
New Latin
pappus
“Botanical term for the hairy or bristly crown on a seed.”
Modern English
English
pappus
“The tuft of hairs or bristles attached to the fruit of many plants in the daisy family.”