Bract Collection

Daisy bud, SEM
Daisy. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of a daisy bud (family Asteraceae, formerly Compositae). The protective bracts (green) cover clusters of tiny flowers, or florets

Shrimp plant, Florida, USA

Voodoo lily (Amorphophallus bulbifer). Native to Asia

Skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) in visible light. In cultivation, Surrey, England, UK. Native to Canada and USA. Sequence 1/2

Protea, Protea cynaroides
Protea cynaroides, Single flower head part open and surrounded by layered, pink bracts with soft, white, feathery edges

Elephant yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) spathe with band of male flowers above and female flowers below. In cultivation

Alexanders rhubarb (Rheum alexandrae) and Dwarf purple rhododendron (Rhododendron impeditum) in wet valley with low cloud. Large bracts on rhubarb protect tiny flowers from UV light

Anthurium spadix and spathe

Parts of flowers including petal, nectary, glume, seed, spathe, bracte, legumen, etc
FLO4685772 Parts of flowers including petal, nectary, glume, seed, spathe, bracte, legumen, etc. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after Sydenham Edwards from John Mason Goods Pantologia

Handerkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana) white flower bracts, Wiltshire, UK, May

Plants, Flowers, Lily
Arum Lily, Zantedeschia, black and white monochrome studio shot of a flower with large white bract on a long stem against a graduated background

Euphorbia amygdaloides robbiae, Wood spurge
Plants, Flowers, Euphorbia amygdaloides robbiae, Light green flowers on bracts of Wood spurge also known as Mrs Robbs bonnet

astrantia maxima, astrantia, masterwort
0258 Astrantia / Masterwort Astrantia maxima

astrantia major hadspen blood, astrantia, masterwort, red subject
Astrantia major Hadspen Blood Astrantia / Masterwort Red subject

acanthus spinosus, bears breeches, purple subject
Acanthus spinosus Bears breeches Purple subject

eryngium variifolium, sea holly, blue subject
Eryngium variifolium Sea holly Blue subject

eryngium alpinum, sea holly, green subject
Eryngium alpinum Sea holly Green subject

strelitzia reginae, bird of paradise, orange subject
Strelitzia reginae Bird of paradise Orange subject

EyeUbiquitous_20108738
Spurge, Euphorbia characias wulfenii. Shrub with clustered leaves and large rounded head of small greenish yellow flowers held within cupped bracts

EyeUbiquitous_20108740
Spurge, Euphorbia characias wulfenii. Close, cropped large rounded head of small greenish yellow flowers held within cupped bracts

astrantia major, astrantia, masterwort
Astrantia major Astrantia / Masterwort Pink subject

Indian paintbrush, Castilleja linariifolia with colourful pink and green foliage

Thorowax (Bupleurum rotundifolium) umbel with green bracts, backlit in studio

Elephant yam flower (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) spadix surrounded by spathe. Cultivated in glasshouse

Masterwort (Astrantia sp) with pink bracts and tiny florets. Cultivated in garden, Surrey, England, UK. Controlled conditions

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), three nectaring on Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), resting on red bracts. In butterfly house, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China

Voodoo lily (Amorphophallus bulbifer), female flowers fluroescing in UV light, male flowers above. Native to Yunnan, China

The trillium is a perennial flowering plant native to temperate regions of North America and Asia

Close Up Of White Arum Or Calla Lily (Zantedeschia Aethiopica), Shot From The Front Against A Black Background; London, England

Close Up Of Blurred Centre Of White Arum Or Calla Lily (Zantedeschia Aethiopica), Shot From The Front Against A Black Background; London, England

Black and white illustration of hands removing leaves and bracts from Moluccella stem (preserving flowers)

Picture No. 10890377
Sand Blazing Star / White-bract Blazing Star (Mentzelia involucrata) Date:

Conrus kousa Southern Cross in bloom C016 / 8752
Maturing blooms of the dogwood, Cornus Kousa Southern Cross". Each bloom appears to be a single flower; in fact, it consists of a mass of small flowers arranged in a cyme (green )

Quercus bract in baltic amber
A bract from the male flower of an oak tree in Baltic amber. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp. ) close-up of flowers and bracts, growing beside blue garden gate, Santorini, Cyclades
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp.) close-up of flowers and bracts, growing beside blue garden gate, Santorini, Cyclades, Aegean Sea, Greece, September

Common Mountain Bell - Stirling Ranges, near Mount Barker, south-west Australia
ROG-13842 Common Mountain Bell Stirling Ranges, near Mount Barker, south-west Australia Darwinia lejostyla Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Heliconia, (Heliconia walkeriana), Costa Rica, La Selva Reserve, detail of plant

Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) flowering, close-up of bracts, Northern California, U. S. A. july
Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) flowering, close-up of bracts, Northern California, U.S.A. july

Oriental Hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis) close-up of leaves and fruit, Bulgaria, may

Dandelion flower, light micrograph
Dandelion flower. Light micrograph of a section through a flower from a dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) plant. The flower stem (bottom) is made up of parenchyma cells (light blue)

Eryngium alpinum flowers
Alpine see holly (Eryngium alpinum) flowers. Photographed in Dorset, UK, in July

Masterwort (Astrantia major) flowers. Photographed in July

Female yew tree flower, light micrograph
Female yew tree flower. Light micrograph of a longitudinal section through a female flower of the yew tree (Taxus baccata)

Greater burdock burr caught on wool
Greater burdock burr (Arctium lappa) caught on wool. The burr contains individual fruits (achenes) attached by a papery bract (modified leaf, top)

Zinnia disc floret, SEM
Zinnia disc floret. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Zinnia sp. flower head disc floret. This floret (true flower) is found in the central (disc) region of the flower head

Wild teasel flower (Dipsacus fullonum)

Dogwood (Cornus Norman Hadden )
Dogwood flowers (Cornus Norman Hadden )

Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus)

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"Discover the Beauty of Bracts: From Daisy Buds to Lily Flowers" Bracts, often overlooked but truly fascinating structures found in various plants, offer a captivating glimpse into nature's creativity. Take the delicate daisy bud for instance, with its intricate bract patterns protecting the developing flower within. Under the scanning electron microscope (SEM), these bracts reveal their microscopic wonders. Traveling across continents, we encounter the vibrant shrimp plant flourishing in sunny Florida, USA. Its showy bracts attract pollinators and add a splash of color to any garden. On the other side of the world, we find the exotic Voodoo lily originating from Asia; its enormous spathe and unique bract design make it an extraordinary sight. Venturing further into botanical diversity, we stumble upon Protea cynaroides - commonly known as protea - showcasing large and striking bracts that surround its flowers like regal crowns. Meanwhile, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius surprises us with a band of male flowers above its elephant yam spathe. In Surrey, England's cultivated landscapes lies skunk cabbage with its intriguing spathes visible under natural light. Moving on to Alexander's rhubarb and dwarf purple rhododendron, their contrasting colors create a harmonious blend enhanced by their elegant bracts. Anthuriums enchant us with their spadix and spathe combination while handcolored engravings from 1813 illustrate various parts of flowers including petals, nectaries, glumes, seeds – all accompanied by detailed depictions of different types of bracts. The majestic handkerchief tree unveils white flower bracts resembling delicate fluttering fabrics against lush green foliage. As our journey concludes amidst this vast array of flora and fauna adorned with beautiful lily-like blooms or wood spurge such as Euphorbia amygdaloides robbiae, we are reminded of the intricate and diverse world of bracts.