umbel

[ uhm-buhl ]

noun

, Botany.

1. an inflorescence in which a number of flower stalks or pedicels, nearly equal in length, spread from a common center.

umbel

/ ʌmˈbɛlə; -ˌleɪt; ˈʌmbɪlɪt; ˈʌmbəl /

noun

1. an inflorescence, characteristic of umbelliferous plants, in which the flowers arise from the same point in the main stem and have stalks of the same length, to give a cluster with the youngest flowers at the centre

umbel

/ ŭm′bəl /

1. A flat or rounded indeterminate inflorescence in which the individual flower stalks (called pedicels) arise from about the same point on the stem at the tip of the peduncle. The geranium, milkweed, and onion have umbels. Umbels usually show centripetal inflorescence, with the lower or outer flowers blooming first.

Derived Forms

• umbellate, adjective
• ˈumbellately, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbel¹

1590–1600; < Latin umbella a sunshade, parasol, derivative of umbra shadow, shade; for formation castellum

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbel¹

C16: from Latin umbella a sunshade, from umbra shade

Example Sentences

Slender 3-to-4-foot stems topped by pendant umbels of ivory, grayed wine and green echo the subtle coloration of the rose.

From Seattle Times

The kingfisher abounds in Egyptian art; on the wall of the Green Room it appears amid the stems and umbels of a dense papyrus thicket at the moment it takes its helldive.

From New York Times

The plant has a genteel true rose fragrance and bears umbels of small pink blooms.

From Seattle Times

Something else to get excited about is the possibility of otherworldly Hoya flowers, often clustered in umbels and sometimes even fragrant.

From Seattle Times

He is also partial to dill’s yellow umbels, its ferny texture and its inclination to sow around.

From New York Times