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 related term caudiciform, literally meaning stem-like, is sometimes used to mean pachycaul, thick-stemmed.^[3]

Etymology

The term is from the Latin caudex, a noun meaning "tree trunk".^[2][4]

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.

^[1]

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

1. "《塊根誌》∥植物販售∥造景設計∥專業課程∥植友交流∥". succulove.life. 27 April 2022.