spathe

American  

[speyth] / speɪð /

noun

Botany.

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

---

spathe British  

/ spəˈθeɪʃəs, speɪð /

noun

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

---

spathe Scientific  

/ spāth /

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

• spathaceous
  adjective
• spathed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of spathe

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spathe

The pod-like leaf called a spathe is slightly rounder and paler than the darker, flatter blades of seagrass.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

When it does bloom, the spathe — leaflike structures encasing the plant — unfurl around 3 or 4 p.m., reaching maximum size in the early hours of the morning.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

The real show starts when the enormous outer layer called a spathe opens up, revealing a deep reddish interior.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

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 ● May 27, 2025

The color within is a dull dark violet, while the interior of the spathe is lined with black, hooked bristles, the whole appearance of the flower being thoroughly repulsive.

From Scientific American, Vol. XXXVII.?No. 2. [New Series.], July 14, 1877 A Weekly Journal Of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, And Manufactures by Various

Related Words

• covering