Bract
A modified leaf that looks like a flower petal, often colorful.
What is it?
Bracts are leaves that grow near flowers. They are often bright and colorful to attract pollinators. In bromeliads, the colorful part you see is usually a bract, not the actual flower. The real flowers are small and hidden inside. The bromeliad you captured has bright pink bracts that make it stand out.
Why it matters
Bracts help plants attract bees, hummingbirds, and other animals to help them reproduce. They are a clever trick that many plants use.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more plants with bracts.