Bracted

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Furnished with bracts, the small leaf-like structures at the base of a flower or flower cluster
2. Bearing bracts, the modified leaves that subtend flowers or inflorescences on a plant
3. Possessing bracts, the specialized leaf-shaped appendages that accompany floral parts

Etymology: "Bracted" is simply the adjective formed from "bract" plus the suffix "-ed," meaning furnished with bracts. A bract is a modified leaf, often small or brightly coloured, that grows at the base of a flower or flower cluster. The "-ed" ending attaches to the noun to describe a plant that has such structures, so a bracted flower is one accompanied by these leaf-like supports. The usefulness of the term lies in distinguishing plants where these bracts are conspicuous. In poinsettias, for example, the showy red parts often mistaken for petals are actually bracts, and botanists would describe such a plant as bracted to identify this feature.