You may have seen plants with brightly colored leaves that look like blooming flowers, such as poinsettias or Euphorbia. These leaves, which are often confused with petals, are actually called bracts. A bract is a modified leaf that usually grows at the base of a flower or inflorescence. While they may look like petals, their function is very different.
One of the most important functions of bracts is attracting pollinators. Many ornamental plants, like poinsettias or Bougainvillea, have showy bracts that make them more visually appealing to insects and other animals that help with pollination. The bright colors and large size of bracts are meant to grab pollinators’ attention and draw them towards the flower.
Bracts also serve important protective functions for the plant. In some cases, bracts protect the flowers or developing fruits by forming a barrier against invading pests or harsh weather conditions. For example, in the case of some pineapple varieties, the bracts form a tough protective layer around the fruit, which is essential for the pineapple plant to survive in its natural habitat.
Bracts can also help classify different plant species. In some cases, bracts can be used to differentiate between similar-looking species, which can be useful for botanists or horticulturists. There are even some plant species whose bracts are more showy than their flowers, like Heliconias or bird-of-paradise plants.
In conclusion, bracts are an essential part of the life cycle of many plant species. Although they may often be confused with petals, they play a very different role in the development and attraction of certain plants. Brightly colored and showy bracts are often the signature of many ornamental plants, which attract pollinators and make them visually appealing to humans. They have also been shown to serve important protective functions and can even help distinguish different plant species.