samara

[prettygoodword]

samara (SAM-er-uh, suh-MAIR-uh) - n., a dry, indehiscent, usually one-seeded, winged fruit, as of a elm, maple, ash, etc.


Indehiscent means not opening up on a seam -- compare with a dehiscent pea-pod. Also sometimes called a key fruit, I'm guessing from the shape. The wings are, of course, to aid dispersal on the wind. Borrowed in the 1570s from Latin, where it means specifically an elm seed.

---L.

Comments

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

Huh. But maples have a seam---we used to open them up and stick them to things. Like noses and ears.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Compare rather the pea itself, which splits into two pieces when it sprouts.

---L.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

such a pretty word (especially with the second pronunciation). I saw it, thought it was pretty, then forgot it, but remembered that it was a word for this sort of seed, and that it had been in this LJ, so when we saw some maple seeds, I was able to say to the ninja girl, "There's a word for the type of seed this is; I can't recall what it is, but I know where to find out." Then I came back here and refreshed my memory.

Samara.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, I am a useful bear.

Hee!

---L.