Bracteolate

/brækˈtiːəleɪt/ adjective

Definition

Having bracteoles or small bracts; bearing small bract-like leaves, typically at the base of flower stalks or individual flower stems.

Etymology

From 'bracteole' (a small bract, from Latin 'bractea' plus the diminutive '-ole') plus the adjectival suffix '-ate.' Indicates possession of smaller modified leaves in floral structures.

Kelly Says

Diminutives like 'bracteole' are common in botanical terminology—adding '-ole' or '-ule' to root words creates meanings of 'small version of.' This allows precise anatomical description in the tiny world of flower structures.

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