pollinium
noun
pol·lin·i·um
pä-ˈli-nē-əm 
plural pollinia
pä-ˈli-nē-ə
: a coherent mass of pollen grains often with a stalk bearing an adhesive disk that clings to insects
Examples of pollinium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And the orchid’s pollinium, the bright yellow packet of pollen that the flower produces, was nowhere to be seen.
—
Steven Bedard, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2019
The yellow bundle on its head is a ghost orchid pollinium (pollen cluster).
—Steven Bedard, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2019
In one shot by Stone, the moth can clearly by seen drinking nectar, but its head is not nearly close enough to the flower to pick up the pollinium.
—Douglas Main, National Geographic, 11 July 2019
If all goes well, the moth will contact the plant’s bundle of pollen, called a pollinium, which will stick to its head, and hopefully be carried on to fertilize another ghost.
—Douglas Main, National Geographic, 11 July 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Steven Bedard, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2019
The yellow bundle on its head is a ghost orchid pollinium (pollen cluster).
—Steven Bedard, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2019
In one shot by Stone, the moth can clearly by seen drinking nectar, but its head is not nearly close enough to the flower to pick up the pollinium.
—Douglas Main, National Geographic, 11 July 2019
If all goes well, the moth will contact the plant’s bundle of pollen, called a pollinium, which will stick to its head, and hopefully be carried on to fertilize another ghost.
—Douglas Main, National Geographic, 11 July 2019
Dictionary Entries Near pollinium
Cite this Entry
“Pollinium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollinium. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share