rachilla

[ ruh-kil-uh ]
/ rəˈkɪl ə /

noun, plural ra·chil·lae [ruh-kil-ee] /rəˈkɪl i/. Botany.

a small or secondary rachis, as the axis of a spikelet in a grass inflorescence.

Origin of rachilla

1835–45; < New Latin, diminutive of rachis rachis

Example sentences from the Web for rachilla

British Dictionary definitions for rachilla

rachilla

rhachilla

/ (rəˈkɪlə) /

noun

(in grasses) the short stem of a spikelet that bears the florets

Word Origin for rachilla

C19: from New Latin, diminutive of rachis

Scientific definitions for rachilla

rachilla
[ rə-kĭlə ]

Plural rachillae (rə-kĭlē)

The stalk that bears the florets in the spikelets of grasses and similar plants, such as rushes and sedges. The rachilla often has a zigzag shape, with florets at each point at which the orientation of the rachilla turns.