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Glite Dictionary
umbel

umbel

1 9.9
A group of small flowers whose stems start at one point and form a flat or rounded top
  • noun
  • /ˈʌmbəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : umbela
  • Wintertan grasses waved in the wind, umbels long since shorn of seeds.
  • umbel flowers
  • white umbels
  • yellow umbels

Examples

  • The chef garnished the dish with fragrant umbels of chervil, adding a touch of elegance to the presentation.

  • ''The leaves were long, the grass was green ''But the hemlock-umbels tall and fair ''And in the glade a light was seen ''Of stars in shadow, shimmering

    The Lord of the Rings (1978)

  • The garden was filled with vibrant umbels of colorful flowers, each cluster blooming beautifully together.

  • In spring, the plant produces striking umbels of small white flowers that attract many pollinators.

How Umbellate

umbel
  • Specialized
1 9.9
corymb
9.9
raceme
  • Specialized
1 9.9
spike
  • Specialized
5 6.8

Surface Forms

umbel singular
umbels plural

Etymology

Umbel comes from the Latin word umbella, meaning 'little shade', and it is the same root as umbrella. Think of an umbrella: many parts spread from one point; an umbel is like a small 'umbrella' of flower stalks that make a flat or round top. So the origin helps you remember that an umbel is a cluster of flowers all growing from one centre.