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

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. William Henry Hudson, "Far Away and Long Ago" (1918) New York: E.P. Dutton page 5
5. "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