Bractlets

/ˈbrækt.lɪts/ noun

Definition

Plural of bractlet: multiple small leaf-like structures that grow at the base of flowers or on flower stems.

Etymology

From 'bract' (Latin 'bractea') + '-let' (diminutive) + plural 's'. Botany requires layering diminutives to describe increasingly tiny plant parts.

Kelly Says

A single flower can have bracts, bractlets, bracteoles, and bracteolules—botanists essentially keep adding diminutive suffixes until they run out of syllables!

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