involucre

[ in-vuh-loo-ker ]

noun

1. Botany. a collection or rosette of bracts subtending a flower cluster, umbel, or the like.
2. a covering, especially a membranous one.

involucre

/ ˈɪnvəˌluːkə; ˌɪnvəˈluːkrəm /

noun

1. a ring of bracts at the base of an inflorescence in such plants as the composites

involucre

/ ĭn′-və-lo̅o̅′kər /

1. A series of bracts beneath or around a flower or flower cluster. The cupule, the cuplike structure holding an oak acorn, is a modified, woody involucre.

Derived Forms

• ˌinvoˈlucrate, adjective
• ˌinvoˈlucral, adjective

Other Words From

• invo·lucral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of involucre¹

1570–80; < Middle French < Latin involūcrum involucrum

Word History and Origins

Origin of involucre¹

C16 (in the sense: envelope): from New Latin involucrum, from Latin: wrapper, from involvere to wrap; see involve

Example Sentences

Seed suspended.—Perennial herbs with radical leaves; those of the stem 2 or 3 together, opposite or whorled, and forming an involucre remote from the flower; peduncles 1-flowered, solitary or umbellate.

From Project Gutenberg

The involucre or cup in which the acorn is fixed.

From Project Gutenberg

Leeches are oviparous, and their ova are discharged in one involucre near the surface and margin of pools, and are hatched by the heat of the sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Subtended, supported or surrounded; as a pedicel by a bract, or a flower-cluster by an involucre.

From Project Gutenberg

The variety palustre, which affects boggy situations, and flowers in late summer and autumn, has nearly entire leaves, and the outer bracts of its involucre are erect.

From Project Gutenberg