A catkin or slender, drooping cluster of flowers, typically on trees like birches, oaks, or willows that lack colorful petals.
From Latin 'amentum' (a leather strap or thong), because the shape resembles a hanging strap; the botanical meaning developed from this visual metaphor.
Aments are nature's wind-pollination strategy—trees produce these cute fuzzy catkins that release pollen into the air rather than relying on bees, explaining spring allergies!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.