ligules

However, African rice has diminutive ligules (small, thin membranes found at the base of the leaf where it joins the stem).

1. African Rice 1996

The variety multiflorus has several forms; the commonest form is double, the disk being filled with ligules much shorter than those of the ray flowers, after the form of many daisy-like composites.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 484, April 11, 1885 Various

It has ray-florets, the ligules of which have their margins grown together so as to form tubes, with the outer surface corresponding to the pale under-surface of the corolla.

Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation Hugo de Vries 1891

Erect branch; 2 and 3. bits of leaves with ligules; 4 and 5. spikelets; 6. ovary and lodicules.]

A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses K. Rangachari