sympodium

[sim-poh-dee-uhm]

noun

Botany.

plural

sympodia 

1. an axis or stem that simulates a simple stem but is made up of the bases of a number of axes that arise successively as branches, one from another, as in the grapevine.

sympodium

/ sɪmˈpəʊdɪəm /

noun

1. the main axis of growth in the grapevine and similar plants: a lateral branch that arises from just behind the apex of the main stem, which ceases to grow, and continues growing in the same direction as the main stem Compare monopodium

Other Word Forms

• sympodial adjective
• sympodially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sympodium¹

1860–65; < New Latin < Greek sym- sym- + pódion small foot, base; podium

Word History and Origins

Origin of sympodium¹

C19: from New Latin, from _syn- + Greek podion a little foot, from pous foot

Example Sentences

The basal portion of the consecutive axes may become much thickened and arranged more or less in a straight line, 558 and thus collectively form an apparent or false axis or sympodium, and the inflorescence thus simulates a raceme.

From Project Gutenberg

Sympode, Sympodium, a stem composed of a series of superposed branches in such a way as to imitate a simple axis, as in Grape-vine.

From Project Gutenberg