involucre
/ˈɪnvəluːkər/
noun
- A ring or group of bracts (modified leaves) surrounding a flower cluster or a single flower.
- The bright red involucre of the poinsettia is often mistaken for petals.
- The involucre of the artichoke is made of tough, overlapping scales.
- Botany students learn to identify plants by their involucre shape.