glumis

Glumis refers to the sterile bracts that subtend the flowers of grasses and sedges. In grasses, these structures are typically referred to as the lemma and palea. The lemma is the lower, outer bract, while the palea is the upper, inner bract. Together, they enclose the flower, which in grasses consists of lodicules, stamens, and a pistil. The glumes in sedges are similar in function but are often described as more leaf-like and are typically located at the base of the inflorescence.

The appearance and size of glumes can vary significantly among different grass and sedge species, and these characteristics are often used in botanical identification. Some glumes may be short and inconspicuous, while others can be long, awned, or even spiny. The presence or absence of glumes, as well as their morphology, provides important taxonomic clues. In some cases, glumes can be modified and take on protective or even attractive functions, though this is less common than their role in enclosing reproductive parts. Understanding glumis is fundamental to the study of Poaceae (grasses) and Cyperaceae (sedges), two of the largest and most ecologically significant plant families.