bracteoles

Bracteoles are small, leaf-like structures that accompany individual flowers in many flowering plants. They are typically subtended by the pedicel or floral axis and are distinct from the larger, more conspicuous bracts that may accompany an inflorescence. Bracteoles are usually much smaller than the main bracts and can vary widely in size, shape, and texture.

Morphology and variation about bracteoles are diverse. They can be scale-like, membranous, or leafy in appearance and may be sessile or stalked. In many species, there are two bracteoles per flower, but their number, size, and persistence are variable. Some bracteoles are caducous, falling off early with or soon after flowering, while others persist on the developing ovary and fruit, sometimes forming a protective covering. In certain plant families, bracteoles may participate in or be associated with broader structures such as epicalyces or other calyx-like arrangements, but they are distinct from the primary bracts of the inflorescence.

Function and significance of bracteoles are mainly protective during bud development, shielding the floral organs as they form. Their presence and morphology can be taxonomically informative in identifying and differentiating species and genera. While the primary role of bracteoles is structural, their variable appearance across taxa makes them a useful character in systematic botany.

Etymology and terminology: the term derives from bracteola, a diminutive of bract, reflecting their small, leaf-like nature. In botanical descriptions, bracteoles are distinguished from larger bracts by their size, position, and relationship to the individual flower.