noun
- the plural form of rachilla; small secondary axes that bear individual flowers in grass spikelets
Usage: botanical
Examples
- The botanist examined the rachillae under a microscope to identify the grass species.
- Each spikelet contains multiple rachillae that support the individual florets.
- The structure of the rachillae helps distinguish between different genera of grasses.
- Damaged rachillae can affect the development of seeds in cereal crops.
- The rachillae become more visible as the grass flowers mature.