spathe

[ speyth ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a bract or pair of bracts, often large and colored, subtending or enclosing a spadix or flower cluster.

spathe

/ spəˈθeɪʃəs; speɪð /

noun

1. a large bract, often coloured, that surrounds the inflorescence of aroid plants and palms

spathe

/ spāth /

1. A large, leaflike, often showy bract that encloses a flower cluster or spadix, as in the jack-in-the-pulpit or calla lily.

Derived Forms

• spathed, adjective
• spathaceous, adjective

Other Words From

• spathed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spathe¹

1775–85; < Latin spatha < Greek spáthē blade, sword, stem; spade ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of spathe¹

C18: from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē a blade

Example Sentences

The tiny white flowers within the spathe are an important food source for the first pollinators of the year.

From Seattle Times

Its compound flower is composed of a hollow, tall spadix with small flowers and a spathe, with one big, furrowed petal that is green on the outside and deep burgundy red on the inside.

From Seattle Times

It features a tall, fleshy column called a spadix and a frilly outer covering called a spathe.

From Los Angeles Times

The huge maroon spathe and spadix were impressive in more ways than one — visitors spent most of the day looking for what surely was a dead body in the border.

From Seattle Times

These are flanked by Voodoo lilies that produce a huge, purple spathe when in bloom, and reek of rotting meat.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• covering