pappus

noun

(L. pappus: down of thistle) A group of modified sepals, often in the form of a ring of silky hairs, bristles, awns or scales, borne above the ovary and outside the corolla in Asteraceae and possibly representing the calyx. For example, when the fruit of a dandelion or histle matures a pappus of hairs persists at the top of a thin stalk forming a parachute-like structure, which serves to disperse the fruit.