Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, dry, membranous bract found in the inflorescences (flower clusters) of grasses (Gramineae/Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). It is a scale-like structure that encloses or subtends a floret or spikelet.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Each spikelet in wheat is protected by two papery glumes at its base.
  • The botanist carefully examined the shape and texture of the glume to identify the grass species.

Advanced Usage

• "Empty glume": A sterile glume that does not contain a flower.
  • The lower glumes in the spikelet were empty.
• "Fertile glume": A glume that subtends or encloses a fertile floret.
  • The fertile glume, or lemma, protects the developing grain.

Variants and Related Words

• Glumaceous (adj): Having the nature or texture of a glume; membranous and dry.
  • The glumaceous bracts were easily visible under the microscope.
• Lemma (n): The lower of the two bracts enclosing a grass floret, often considered a specialized glume.
• Palea (n): The upper bract of a grass floret, paired with the lemma.

Synonyms

• Bract: A more general term for a modified leaf associated with a flower or inflorescence.
• Scale: A small, thin, dry, often membranous plant structure.

Related Terms (Specific to Botany)

• Spikelet: The basic unit of a grass inflorescence, typically consisting of one or more florets and a pair of glumes at the base.
• Inflorescence: The complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers.

Noun

1. small dry membranous bract found in inflorescences of Gramineae and Cyperaceae