A "samara" is a dry, indehiscent, usually one-seeded winged fruit found on trees like ash and maple. Its shape allows it to spin like a helicopter rotor when falling, aiding in its dispersal.
Una "samara" es una fruta seca alada, generalmente con una sola semilla, que se encuentra en árboles como el fresno y el arce. Su forma le permite girar como un rotor de helicóptero al caer, ayudando a su dispersión.
| Word | samara |
|---|---|
| Date | May 24, 2011 |
| Type | noun |
| Syllables | SAM-uh-ruh |
| Etymology | Not familiar with the term "samara" referring to the winged fruit of the elm, ash, maple, and sycamore, among other trees? Then how about "key," "whirlybird," "helicopter," "whirligig," or "spinning jenny"? Those nicknames are all excellent descriptors of a samara. A samara resembles a key and when it falls its unique shape enables it to spin like a helicopter's rotor and drift away from its tree. Botanists began using the term "samara" in the late 16th century. In Latin, it means literally "seed of the elm." |
| Examples | Pairs of samaras grew along the maple tree's branches. "The samara looks much like a tiny green round ravioli, or those dots of explosive caps for toy guns of the past. These are the fruit of the elm tree, with the seed forming a reddish bump in the middle." -- From an article by Marilyn Sallee, posted February 22nd, 2011, on the Native Plant Society of Texas web site |
| Definition | : a dry indehiscent usually one-seeded winged fruit (as of an ash or elm tree) |
Tags: wordoftheday::noun
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