Caudex

A caudex (plural: 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]

gollark: The others do sort of, since people talk about them on here. We also have emojis: <:diode:694648592916283463> <:diode_superiority:694649066717446144> <:Transistor:694654534634569809>
gollark: It doesn't *physically exist*, though.
gollark: The diode and transistor cults still live on spirit, if not actually in role.
gollark: I almost always find these "do X to support cause Y" things kind of weird, because most of the time you're not (asked to be) doing anything to directly support said cause, but just getting people to give you donations to fund something related to it.
gollark: No.

See also

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.
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