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A caudex (pl.: caudices) of a plant is a stem, but the term is also used to mean a rootstock and particularly a basal stem structure from which new growth arises.

In the strict sense of the term, meaning a stem, "caudex" is most often used with plants that have a different stem morphology from the typical angiosperm dicotyledon stem: examples of this include palms, ferns, and cycads.

The related term caudiciform, literally meaning stem-like, is sometimes used to mean pachycaul, thick-stemmed.

Etymology

The term is from the Latin caudex, a noun meaning "tree trunk".

See also

• Stipe

References

1. ^ Hickey, M.; King, C. (2001). The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge University Press.
2. ^ Stearn, W.T. (1992). Botanical Latin: History, grammar, syntax, terminology and vocabulary, Fourth edition. David and Charles.
3. ^ Simpson, M.G. (2010). Plant Systematics: Second Edition. Elsevier Science. ISBN 9780080922089.pages 456 and 695
4. "caudex - definition of caudex by The Free Dictionary". Thefreedictionary.com. Retrieved 2014-07-15.

External links

• Bihrmann's Caudiciforms Extensive listing of caudiciforms, images for most species
• Wayne's Word Archived 2009-03-19 at the Wayback Machine Caudiciform Plants With An Enlarged Caudex

• Plant anatomy
• Plant stem morphology