involucre

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɪnvəl(j)uːkə/

noun

  • 1 Anatomy a membranous envelope.
  • 2 Botany a whorl or rosette of bracts surrounding an inflorescence (especially a capitulum) or at the base of an umbel.

Origin:

late 16th century: from French, or from Latin involucrum, from involvere 'roll in, envelop' (see involve)