calyculata

Calyculata is a term derived from Latin, meaning "furnished with a calycle" or "having small cup-like appendages." This term is primarily used in botany to describe a specific structure found in certain flowering plants, particularly within the Asteraceae family (composites). The calycle is a series of small, leaf-like structures that are located at the base of the involucre, which is the whorl of bracts that encloses the flower head. These calycular bracts are typically smaller and less developed than the bracts of the involucre itself.

The presence and form of the calycle can be a useful characteristic for plant identification. In some species, the calycle is prominent and well-developed, while in others, it may be reduced to mere scales or even absent. The size, shape, and arrangement of these calycular structures can vary significantly between different genera and species within the Asteraceae family. Botanists use these details, along with other floral characteristics, to classify and distinguish between closely related plants. The term calyculata, therefore, signifies the presence of such a calycle.