What is a spikelet in the Poaceae grass family?

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wild rice — Poaceae Wild rice (*Zizania aquatica*).

In the Poaceae family, the spikelet is the primary reproductive unit of the grass inflorescence. It consists of a short axis known as the rachilla, which bears two-ranked, overlapping, chaffy scales.1

These scales are categorized into three types:
* Glumes: Typically two lowermost scales that enclose some or all of the other structures.1
* Lemma and Palea: These occur in pairs and surround and protect the flower. The lemma is generally larger than the palea, which remains hidden between the lemma and the spikelet axis.1

Together, the lemma, palea, and the enclosed flower form a structure called a floret. A spikelet typically contains two glumes and between one and 50 florets, depending on the species. The structure of the spikelet—including variations in the number of florets and the presence of specialized features like awns—is a critical diagnostic tool for identifying different grass species and genera.1