spikelet The basic unit of the grass inflorescence, usually consisting of a short axis (= rachilla) bearing two empty bracts (= glumes) at the basal nodes and one or more florets above. Each floret usually consists of two bracts (the lemma = lower bract and the palea = upper bract) and a flower. The flower usually includes two lodicules (= vestigial perianth segments that become turgid and open the bracts at flowering time), three stamens, and a pistil. The term spikelet is also used to refer to the basic unit of the inflorescence in the Cyperaceae.