Bracteole: meaning, definitions and examples
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bracteole
[ ˈbræk.ti.oʊl ]
botanical term
A bracteole is a small, leaf-like structure that is found just below a flower or flower cluster. It is a reduced form of a bract and typically serves to support the flower or inflorescence. Bracteoles can vary greatly in size, shape, and function depending on the species of plant.
Synonyms
bract, leaf-like structure.
Examples of usage
- The bracteoles of the plant are often colorful and attract pollinators.
- In some species, bracteoles are highly modified for specific functions.
- Botanists study the presence of bracteoles to classify plant types.
Etymology
The word 'bracteole' comes from the Latin word 'bractea', meaning 'thin plate' or 'leaf', combined with the suffix '-ole', which denotes a smaller or diminutive form. This reflects the structure's nature as a smaller derivative of a bract. The term has been used in botanical literature since the early 19th century to describe these supportive structures found on flowers. Botany, as a scientific discipline, flourished during this time, prompting the need for more specific terminology to categorize and describe plant morphology accurately. Today, the term is mainly utilized in scientific contexts, especially in descriptions of flowering plants and their reproductive structures.