Caudex

A caudex (pl.: caudices) of a plant is a stem,^[1] but the term is also used to mean a rootstock^[2] and particularly a basal stem structure from which new growth arises.^[3]

The caudex of a tree fern resembles the trunk of a woody plant, but has a different structure.

The caudex of Jatropha cathartica is pachycaul, with thickening that provides water storage.

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:^[1] examples of this include palms, ferns, and cycads. The largest of all caudices is that of the ombu (Phytolacca dioecea) of the Pampas of South America which can be fifty feet (fifteen meters) thick.^[4]

The related term caudiciform, literally meaning stem-like, is sometimes used to mean pachycaul, thick-stemmed.^[3] Caudices should not be confused with lignotubers which can also be very large.

Etymology

The term is from the Latin caudex, a noun meaning "tree trunk".^[2][5]

See also

• Stipe