Spadix

Spadix

In botany, a spadix (pl. "spadices") is a type of spike: an inflorescence with small flowers crowded on a thickened, fleshy axis. The term is applied to certain monocotyledons, especially members of the Family Araceae called arums or aroids. In these flower heads there is typically also a spathe (from Ancient Greek "spathe" "broad blade") present: a large, usually showy and solitary, bract that either subtends (lies just below) or partially encloses the spadix. The "flower" of the anthurium is a typical spadix with a large colorful spathe.

In monoecious aroids (possessing separate male and female flowers, but with both flowers present on one plant), the spadix is usually organized with female flowers towards the bottom and male flowers towards the top. In aroids with perfect flowers the stigma is no longer receptive when the pollen is released, thus preventing self-fertilization. There are also some dioecious species.


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  • SPADIX — inter equorum colores, Virgilio Georgic. l. 3. v. 82. honesti Spadices glaucique Ad quem locum Servius, Spadices, inquit, phoeniciatos vocant, id est, professos myrteos, ipsi sunt badii. Nempe ςπάδιξ, ut habet Pollux, est ῤάβδος φοίνικος, et… …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • spadix — SPADÍX s.n. v. spadice. Trimis de baron, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  SPÁDIX s.n. v. spadice. Trimis de LauraGellner, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DN …   Dicționar Român

  • Spadix — Spa dix, n.; pl. L. {Spadices}, E. {Spadixes}. [L., a palm branch broken off, with its fruit, Gr. ?.] 1. (Bot.) A fleshy spike of flowers, usually inclosed in a leaf called a spathe. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) A special organ of the nautilus,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spadix — Spadix, so v.w. Kolbe 14), s. Blüthenstand …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Spadix — (lat.), Kolben, s. Blütenstand, S. 93 …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • spadix — [spā′diks] n. pl. spadixes or spadices [spā′də sēz΄, spā dī′sēz] [ModL < L, a palm branch broken off together with the fruit, date brown color < Gr < IE base * spē , to pull > SPAN1] a fleshy spike of tiny flowers, usually enclosed in …   English World dictionary

  • Spadix — Kolben, schematische Darstellung In der Botanik ist ein Kolben (häufig auch als Spadix bezeichnet) ein Blüten oder Fruchtstand. Er zeichnet sich durch eine Walzenform mit verdickter Hauptachse aus. Die Blüten und später die Früchte sitzen ohne… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Spadix — Spa|dix 〈m.; ; unz.; Bot.〉 kolbenartiger Blütenstand [<grch. „Dattelpalmzweig“] * * * Spadix   [griechisch lateinisch »abgerissener Palmzweig«], Botanik: Kolben. * * * Spa|dix, der; [lat. spadix < griech. spádix = abgerissener (Palm)zweig]… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • spadix — noun (plural spadices) Etymology: New Latin spadic , spadix, from Latin, frond torn from a palm tree, from Greek spadik , spadix, from span to draw, pull Date: circa 1752 a floral spike with a fleshy or succulent axis usually enclosed in a spathe …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • spadix — /spay diks/, n., pl. spadices /spay duy seez, spay deuh seez /. Bot. an inflorescence consisting of a spike with a fleshy or thickened axis, usually enclosed in a spathe. See illus. under inflorescence. [1750 60; < L spadix a broken palm branch… …   Universalium

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