Skip to main content
silicle

silicle

9.9
A short wide seed pod from plants like mustard or cabbage
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪlɪkəl/
  • Specialized
: silícula
  • Botanists distinguish a silicle from a silique by its shorter, broader shape.

Examples

  • The round silicle of shepherd's purse is a key identifying feature.

  • The silicle of the plant was ripe and ready to burst.

  • The plant produces small silicles that contain several seeds each.

  • Many silicles can be found in the garden this season.

  • The round silicle of shepherd's purse is a key identifying feature.

  • Botanists distinguish a silicle from a silique by its shorter, broader shape.

  • The plant produces small silicles that contain several seeds each.

Synonyms

seedpod
vssilicle
1 2.7

A pod that contains seeds and opens when ripe

is specific to cruciferous plants and is shorter and wider in shape
fruitlet
vssilicle
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A small fruit that grows as one part of a larger group, like a raspberry piece

is a short, broad seed-bearing structure found in cruciferous plants

Surface Forms

silicle singular
silicles plural

Etymology

The word silicle comes from the Latin silicula, a small form of siliqua that means 'pod', so a silicle is literally a 'little pod' and is used for the short, broad seed pods found on some plants.