caudex

[ kaw-deks ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural cau·di·ces [kaw, -d, uh, -seez], cau·dex·es.

1. the main stem of a tree, especially a palm or tree fern.
2. the woody or thickened persistent base of an herbaceous perennial.

caudex

/ ˈkɔːdɛks /

noun

1. the thickened persistent stem base of some herbaceous perennial plants
2. the woody stem of palms and tree ferns

caudex

/ kô′dĕks′ /

1. The thickened, usually underground base of the stem of many perennial herbaceous plants, from which new leaves and flowering stems arise.
2. The trunk of a palm or tree fern.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caudex¹

1820–30; < Latin: tree trunk; codex

Word History and Origins

Origin of caudex¹

C19: from Latin

Example Sentences

Caudex arhorescens cicatricibus basibusve foliorum exasperatus?

From Project Gutenberg

Caudex arborescens erectus simplicissimus cylindraceus, 6-18-pedes altus, crassitie femoris.

From Project Gutenberg

The striking resemblance of Kingia, in caudex and leaves, to Xanthorrhoea, cannot fail to suggest its affinity to that genus also.

From Project Gutenberg

The name of a book, caudex, codex, was first given to these tabellae when they were strung together to form a square book.

From Project Gutenberg

The stem is short or entirely wanting, arising from a long and thick caudex.

From Project Gutenberg