1. Modified leaves that grow near or at the base of a flower or flower cluster, often smaller or differently colored than regular leaves.
Usage: Plural of bract; commonly used in botany and horticulture.

Examples

• The poinsettia's bright red bracts are often mistaken for petals.
• Bracts protect the developing flower buds in many plant species.
• The dogwood's white bracts surround the tiny true flowers at the center.
• Botanists examine the shape and color of bracts to help identify plant species.
• Some flowering plants have colorful bracts that attract pollinators instead of showy petals.