phyllotaxy

[ fil-uh-tak-see ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural phyl·lo·tax·ies.

1. the arrangement of leaves on a stem or axis.
2. the study of such arrangement.

phyllotaxy

/ fĭl′ə-tăk′sē /

1. The pattern of leaf distribution and arrangement on a stem.

Other Words From

• phyl·lo·tac·tic [fil-, uh, -, tak, -tik], phyllo·tacti·cal phyllo·taxic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phyllotaxy¹

First recorded in 1855–60; phyllotax(is) + -y ³

Example Sentences

The subject of leaf-arrangement should be passed over until phyllotaxy is taken up.

From Project Gutenberg

They are arranged densely on the branches, alternately on the 8/21 plan (see section on phyllotaxy).

From Project Gutenberg

In other cases the width of the leaves is determined by what botanists call the "Phyllotaxy."

From Project Gutenberg

Phyllotaxis, or Phyllotaxy, the arrangement of leaves on the stem, 67.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the leaf-arrangement or phyllotaxy of the apple-tree, expressed by the fraction 2/5.

From Project Gutenberg