catkin

[ kat-kin ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers having scaly, usually deciduous bracts, as of a willow or birch.

catkin

/ ˈkætkɪn /

noun

1. an inflorescence consisting of a spike, usually hanging, of much reduced flowers of either sex: occurs in birch, hazel, etc Also calledament

catkin

/ kăt′kĭn /

1. A long, thin, indeterminate inflorescence of tiny, petalless flowers growing on willows, birches, oaks, poplars, and certain other trees. The flowers on a catkin are either all male or all female. The female flowers are usually pollinated by the wind.
2. Also called ament
3. See illustration at inflorescence

Other Words From

• cat·kin·ate [kat, -k, uh, -neyt], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catkin¹

First recorded in 1570–80, catkin is from the Dutch word katteken little cat (now obsolete). See cat, -kin

Word History and Origins

Origin of catkin¹

C16: from obsolete Dutch katteken kitten, identical in meaning with French chaton, German Kätzchen

Example Sentences

At this time of year, stretches of warmer days coax open a cascade of willows’ fuzzy catkins, putting another Salix strength on display.

From Seattle Times

As numbers begin to fall and oak catkins gather in gutters, daily levels have so far remained high to very high.

From Washington Post

Male flowers are yellowish and hang down as catkins.

From Seattle Times

In addition to the yellowish film from the pollen, you might notice their long catkins — small flowering pollen production machines — gathering when they drift off the trees and settle about the landscape.

From Washington Post

Many woody trees and shrubs have beautiful emerging leaves and catkins, like Japanese maple, birch, twig dogwood, various willows and even the humble alder.

From Seattle Times