spadix

American  

[spey-diks] / ˈspeɪ dɪks /

noun

Botany.

PLURAL

spadices

1. an inflorescence consisting of a spike with a fleshy or thickened axis, usually enclosed in a spathe.

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spadix British  

/ ˈspeɪdɪks /

noun

1. a racemose inflorescence having many small sessile flowers borne on a fleshy stem, the whole usually being surrounded by a spathe: typical of aroid plants

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spadix Scientific  

/ spā′dĭks /

PLURAL

spadices

1. A fleshy spike of minute flowers, usually enclosed within a spathe, as in the arums.

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Etymology

Origin of spadix

1750–60; < Latin spādīx a broken palm branch and its fruit < Greek spā́dīx a torn-off palm bough, chestnut brown; akin to spân to tear off

Example Sentences

The central spike, or spadix, heats up to help spread the smell.

From 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.

From Salon

The plant contains several hundred flowers in the base of its spadix.

From BBC

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.

From Seattle Times

It features a tall, fleshy column called a spadix and a frilly outer covering called a spathe.

From Los Angeles Times