Garden Word of the Week - Pappus

dandelion pappus by polarblogger
The pappus is found in flower heads of the plant family Asteraceae. 
The pappus may be composed of bristles, sometimes feathery. In some species, such as Dandelion or Eupatorium, feathery bristles of the pappus function as a "parachute" which enables the seed to be carried by the wind.

dandelion by binzy
The name derives from the Ancient Greek word pappos, meaning "old man", used for a plant having bristles and for hairy seed of certain plants.

Horseweed seed heads

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