spikelet

[ spahyk-lit ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a small or secondary spike in grasses; one of the flower clusters, the unit of inflorescence, consisting of two or more flowers and subtended by one or more glumes variously disposed around a common axis.

spikelet

/ ˈspaɪklɪt /

noun

1. botany the unit of a grass inflorescence, typically consisting of two bracts (glumes) surrounding one or more florets, each of which is itself surrounded by two bracts See lemma 1 palea
2. the small inflorescence of plants of other families, esp the sedges

spikelet

/ spīk′lĭt /

1. A small spike, especially one that is part of the characteristic inflorescence of grasses and sedges. A grass spikelet consists of one or more florets (reduced flowers). Each floret contains a pistil and stamens and is enclosed by two bracts, the lemma and the palea. At the base of the entire spikelet are two additional scalelike bracts, the glumes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spikelet¹

First recorded in 1785–95; spike ² + -let

Example Sentences

In flower, their spikelets extend another 6-10 inches above the foliage.

From Seattle Times

On my desk, now, there’s a glass vial containing a single ear of wheat, each spikelet charred black at its edges.

From New York Times

Ours perennials, 1–2° high, with narrow and soon involute leaves, hairy sheaths bearded at the throat, and a small simple panicle or raceme of about 7-flowered spikelets.

From Project Gutenberg

The minute flowers are arranged in spikelets somewhat as in grasses, and these again in larger spike-like or panicled inflorescences.

From Project Gutenberg

Pan′icum, a large genus of true grasses having the one or two-flowered spikelets in spikes, racemes, or panicles—including the common millet.

From Project Gutenberg