bráctea

bract

noun BRAHK-teh-ah Rare

Origin: Latin bractea (thin metal plate)

Usage Note

Bráctea is a botanical term for a modified leaf found at the base of a flower or inflorescence. In many plants the bracts are more colourful than the actual petals — the vivid 'leaves' of a buganvilia (bougainvillea) are technically bracts, not petals. The term is used in scientific and horticultural writing.

Examples

"Las brácteas rojas del poinsettia parecen flores."

Natural Translation

The red bracts of the poinsettia look like flowers.

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