Welcome to Word of the Week! Stay tuned for a new word each week to amp up your nature vocabulary!
The word of the week is peduncle [PUH-DUNHG-KL] (noun): a stalk bearing a flower, flower cluster or a fructification.
This is a useful word when tracking the development of cherry blossoms through its six stages of development. Specifically, it gives us a better idea when cherry blossoms have moved from stage 3 to stage 4 in the blossom development process.
As the image above shows, Stage 4 is when we get to see peduncle elongation, where the flower stems of individual blossoms grow longer and can be clearly seen. In stage 3, pictured below, the florets start extending out of the buds with the peduncle still hidden.
Historically, peduncle elongation occurs 6-10 days before peak bloom. Around 4-6 days before peak bloom, we reach stage 5 where fluffy white Sakura blossoms begin to open, each flower at a different time.
Interested in learning more about the stages of the blossom development? Please visit our Cherry Blossom Bloom Tracking website. For more information about cherry blossoms, please visit our Cherry Blossom Watch webpage. Consider making a donation today and help support our Cherry Blossom Watch resource guide.
