Panikul

Panikul is a term that appears in botanical contexts as a regional or transliterated variant of the word panicle. It is not standardized in major English-language taxonomic glossaries, and its precise meaning can vary by region or language.

In botany, a panicle is a type of compound inflorescence in which the main axis bears branched secondary axes that carry flowers, often with pedicels. Panicles can be loose or compact and may display a tapering or spreading silhouette. The term panikul is sometimes used in local descriptions to denote such branched inflorescences, particularly in grasses and flowering plants found in South or Southeast Asia.

Etymology and usage: Panikul is likely a regional or transliterated form of panicle, with roots connected to the Latin paniculus meaning a small basket or cluster. Its usage tends to appear in regional floras, field guides, or horticultural texts where the panicle inflorescence is described in local language contexts. Because this form is not universally standardized, readers should consult regional sources to understand the exact sense in a given text.

Examples and scope: Species with panicle-type inflorescences include many grasses and cereals, such as rice, where the panicle bears spikelets. The term may also appear in descriptions of ornamental grasses and other flowering plants with branched inflorescences. See also panicle, raceme, inflorescence.