spathe

[speyth]

noun

Botany.

1. a bract or pair of bracts, often large and colored, subtending or enclosing a spadix or flower cluster.

spathe

/ spəˈθeɪʃəs, speɪð /

noun

1. a large bract, often coloured, that surrounds the inflorescence of aroid plants and palms

spathe

1. A large, leaflike, often showy bract that encloses a flower cluster or spadix, as in the jack-in-the-pulpit or calla lily.

Other Word Forms

• spathed adjective
• spathaceous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spathe¹

1775–85; < Latin spatha < Greek spáthē blade, sword, stem; spade ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of spathe¹

C18: from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē a blade

Example Sentences

When it finally opens, the outer leaf-like structure called a spathe peels back to reveal a maroon interior.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Its hoodlike structure is called a spathe, which envelopes a bulb-shaped structure called the spadix, a fleshy knob dotted by dozens of tiny, petal-less yellow flowers.

Read more on Salon

But once she blooms, viewers can expect to see Putricia unfold a vibrant maroon or crimson skirt, known as a spathe, around her spadix which is the large spike in the middle of the plant.

Read more on BBC

The tiny white flowers within the spathe are an important food source for the first pollinators of the year.

Read more on Seattle Times

Its compound flower is composed of a hollow, tall spadix with small flowers and a spathe, with one big, furrowed petal that is green on the outside and deep burgundy red on the inside.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• covering