CAPRIFICATION

Noun

caprification (usually uncountable, plural caprifications)

A process for pollinating figs by hanging clusters of wild fig (caprifig) flowers in the trees (pollen being transferred by wasps).

Source: Wiktionary


Cap"ri*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. caprificatio, fr. caprificare to ripen figs by caprification, fr. caprificus the wild fig; caper goat + ficus fig.]

Definition: The practice of hanging, upon the cultivated fig tree, branches of the wild fig infested with minute hymenopterous insects.

Note: It is supposed that the little insects insure fertilization by carrying the pollen from the male flowers near the opening of the fig down to the female flowers, and also accelerate ripening the fruit by puncturing it. The practice has existed since ancient times, but its benefit has been disputed.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

19 November 2024

SALTWORT

(noun) bushy plant of Old World salt marshes and sea beaches having prickly leaves; burned to produce a crude soda ash


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world, next to crude oil. It’s also one of the oldest commodities, with over 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide daily.

coffee icon