rachilla

American  

[ruh-kil-uh] / rəˈkɪl ə /

noun

Botany.

plural

rachillae

1. a small or secondary rachis, as the axis of a spikelet in a grass inflorescence.

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rachilla British  

/ rəˈkɪlə /

noun

1. (in grasses) the short stem of a spikelet that bears the florets

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rachilla Scientific  

/ rə-kĭl′ə /

plural

rachillae

1. The stalk that bears the florets in the spikelets of grasses and similar plants, such as rushes and sedges. The rachilla often has a zigzag shape, with florets at each point at which the orientation of the rachilla turns.

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Etymology

Origin of rachilla

1835–45; < New Latin, diminutive of rachis rachis

Example Sentences

The fourth glume is borne by a short rachilla which is about 1/3 the length of the third glume or less, shorter than the third, cuneiform, empty and awned.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

Sometimes the rachilla is articulated between the flowers.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

The rachilla is jointed just above the empty glumes and it is produced or not beyond the flowering glumes.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

Spikelets are very small, compressed, 1- to 6-flowered, sessile or shortly pedicelled, alternate and unilateral on the branches of a panicle; the rachilla is produced between the flowering glumes, jointed at the base.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.

The spikelets are pale green, sometimes purple tinged and appearing white when mature, softly pubescent, about 1/4 inch long including the awn; the rachilla is produced and disarticulates above the two lower glumes.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.