palea
/ˈpeɪliə/
noun
- A small, chaffy scale or bract found in the flower heads of plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae).
- Each tiny flower in the daisy has a palea at its base.
- Botanists examined the palea under a microscope to identify the plant species.
- The palea protects the developing seeds inside the sunflower head.
- The upper of two bracts that enclose the flower in grasses (Poaceae).
- Farmers noted that the palea of the wild grass was slightly hairy.
- The palea is often thinner and more delicate than the lemma.
- In wheat, the palea and lemma together form the husk around the grain.