Noun
An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. -- so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.
Source: Webster's dictionaryCatkin -like cymes of densely packed flowers grow in summer or autumn. citation Approximately 60 species are recognized, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to green or gold. Source: Internet