protophyll

/prəˈtɒfɪl/

Definitions

1. noun

The first leaf or leaves to appear on a shoot; a scale or bract, especially when it is modified to resemble a leaf.

“In botany, the protophyll is a critical component of plant development.”

Synonyms

  • bract
  • scale

Antonyms

  • mature leaf
  • terminal leaf