bracteole

9.9

A small leaf-like part on the stalk just below a flower

noun
/ˈbræktɪˌoʊl/

Specialized

: bracteola

Each flower on the stem is subtended by a tiny bracteole near its base.

Examples

The botanist pointed out the difference between a bracteole and a full-sized bract.
During identification, note the presence or absence of a bracteole below each flower.
The bracteole is often overlooked in floral studies.
In some flowers, the bracteole can be quite colorful.
Each flower on the stem is subtended by a tiny bracteole near its base.
The botanist pointed out the difference between a bracteole and a full-sized bract.
In some flowers, the bracteole can be quite colorful.

Synonyms

bract

vsbracteole

Specialized

1 9.9

A leaflike part just below a group of flowers that often protects them

is smaller and located on the flower stalk under a single flower

bractlet

vsbracteole

Specialized

9.9

A small leaf below a flower in a group of flowers

sits on the flower pedicel under an individual flower rather than below a cluster

glume

vsbracteole

Specialized

9.9

A small dry covering at the base of a grass or cereal head that protects seeds

is on the flower pedicel under single flowers rather than at grass bases

How Small

bracteole

Specialized

9.9

bractlet

Specialized

9.9

bract

Specialized

1 9.9

Surface Forms

bracteole singular

bracteoles plural

Morphology

bracteole = bract (opaque) = bract + eole

The suffix 'eole' is not a common English morphological element, making the word's meaning less transparent.

Etymology

Bracteole comes from bract, a word for a leaf or a special leaf near a flower, and the ending -ole which means 'small'. The older Latin word bractea meant a thin plate or 'leaf', so a bracteole is a little leaf by the flower, which explains the modern meaning.