1. a whorl of bracts beneath a flower head or flower cluster
Usage: botanical

Examples

• The daisy’s involucre consists of small green bracts that surround the base of the flower head.
• Botanists examine the involucre to help identify different species of composite flowers.
• The involucre protects the developing flower buds in the early stages of growth.
• Each sunflower has a distinctive involucre made up of overlapping bracts.
• The involucre of the dandelion is easily recognizable by its reflexed outer bracts.