tetrastichous

[ ti-tras-ti-kuhs ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. arranged in a spike of four vertical rows, as flowers.
2. having four such rows of flowers, as a spike.

tetrastichous

/ tɛˈtræstɪkəs /

adjective

1. (of flowers or leaves on a stalk) arranged in four vertical rows

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetrastichous¹

1865–70; < New Latin tetrastichus < Greek tetrástichos having four lines or rows. See tetra-, stich ¹, -ous