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

/ ˌɪnvəˈluːkrəm; ˈɪnvəˌluːkə /

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

Its flower-heads are surrounded by a spreading foliaceous woolly involucre, and its foliage is also of the same woolly character.

From Project Gutenberg

The margin is continuously recurved to form a rather broad involucre, and the very edge is somewhat thinner and whiter.

From Project Gutenberg

The upper part of the veinlets is covered with sporangia, which as they ripen push out from beneath the involucre.

From Project Gutenberg

Around and beneath each yellow cluster are two rows of thin, green, smooth scales (involucre).

From Project Gutenberg

This beetle ordinarily lays its eggs in the involucre of the butternut.

From Project Gutenberg