Flowers
Spikelet
Spikelets are specialized reduced inflorescences composed of one or more florets.
Spikelets produced in grasses and sedges are arranged in spikes or panicles.
Spikelet
Panicle
Spikes
Floret
Glumes
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Various grass species
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Flowers
Spikelet
Grass spikelets have two bracts (glumes) subtending the florets. Each floret
consists of one or two subtending lemma (also modified bracts) that can have
an awn at the tip. Above the lemma is an inner bract called the palea. The
flower lacks sepals and petals. These have been replaced by small lodicles.
Floret
Spikelet
Anther
Stigma
Awn
Palea
Ovary
Lodicles
Lemma
Palea
Rachilla
Second
Glume
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First Glume
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Lemma
Lodicles expand to separate the
palea and lemma to expose the
sexual parts for pollination.
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Flowers
Spikelet
Spikelet
Awn
Anther
Stigma
Palea
Ovary
Lemma
Rachilla
Second
Glume
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Floret
First Glume
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Flowers
Spikelet
Sedges (Cyperaceae) also produce spikelets.
Spikelets
Floret
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Flowers
Spikelet
Sedges usually produce spikelets in spikes, panicles or corymbs.
Spikelet
Floret
Cyperus
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Flowers
Spikelet
Another plant family with plants that produce spikelets is the Restionaceae.
Askidiosperma
Cannomois grandis
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Restio quadratus
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