involucre

n.

A series of bracts beneath or around a flower or flower cluster.

[French, from Latin involūcrum, wrapper, envelope. See involucrum.]

involucral in'vo·lu'cral (-krəl) or in'vo·lu'crate (-krĭt, -krāt') adj.

One or more whorls of small leaves or bracts, typically green, arranged directly underneath a flower or flower head. Many composite flowers such as zinnias and strawflowers have involucral bracts.

IN BRIEF: n. - A highly conspicuous bract or bract pair or ring of bracts at the base of an inflorescence.

Tutor's tip: This word was used in the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a highly conspicuous bract or bract pair or ring of bracts at the base of an inflorescence

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