Bract

"Involucre" redirects here. For the protective layer that encloses spores in fungi, see Peridium. For the indusium in ferns or fungi, see Sorus.
Papery (upper) and leafy bracts on hay rattle (Rhinanthus minor). All the "leaves" in this image are bracts.

In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale.

Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves; they may be of a different size, color, shape, or texture. Typically, they also look different from the parts of the flower, such as the petals or sepals.

A plant having bracts is referred to as bracteate[1] or bracteolate, while one that lacks them is referred to as ebracteate[2] or ebracteolate.

  1. ^ "the definition of bracteate". Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  2. ^ "Definition of Ebractate". www.greengonzo.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2017-04-27.