also: ふゆめ
winter bud
Botanical term for a bud that forms in late summer or autumn and remains dormant through winter, protected by scales. Contrasts with 夏芽 (summer bud).
See also: 夏芽
Winter buds are covered with hard scales to protect themselves from the cold.
In spring, the winter buds begin to swell.
Standard kanji form; ふゆめ is the more common reading in everyday contexts.
Alternate on'yomi reading, often used in botanical or technical contexts.
Compound of 冬 (winter) and 芽 (bud). The reading ふゆめ is the native Japanese reading, while とうが uses the on'yomi of the characters.