petal

Everyday

1. A petal is one of the thin, often brightly coloured parts that make up the outer ring of a flower. tree →
2. Petal is also a friendly name some people (especially in the north of England) call someone they love, like «love» or «pet». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons the petals are part of the flower; their colour and smell attract insects such as bees and butterflies, which carry pollen and help the plant make seeds. Children label petals, stamens, stigma and sepals on flower diagrams and count petals (many flowers have 3, 4, 5 or more). Phrases: «rose petals», «flower petals», «pick the petals off».

Examples

• A daisy has lots of thin white petals. tree →
• Bees are drawn to the bright petals. tree →
• Rose petals fell onto the path. tree →
• We counted five petals on the buttercup. tree →
• The petals dropped off as the flower died. tree →
• Label the petal on your flower diagram. tree →
• The flower girl threw petals at the wedding. tree →
• Some petals are soft as velvet. tree →
• At sunset it folded its petals, and fell asleep, and dreamt all night of the sun and the little bird. tree →

Note

Countable: «a petal, petals». Do not confuse with «pedal» (the part of a bike you push with your feet), which sounds similar. Petals are not leaves; leaves are usually green and make food from sunlight.