A caudex (plural: caudices) is a form of stem morphology appearing as a thickened, short, perennial stem that is either underground or near ground level[1] (frequently woody, and non-photosynthetic). It may be swollen for the purpose of water storage, especially in xerophytes. Elongate branches may arise from the caudex, or the leaves may be more or less sessile to the caudex.
Caudiciform describes plants having a caudex. Some notable caudiciformic genera: Adenia (family Passifloraceae), Beaucarnea (family Ruscaceae), Jatropha (family Euphorbiaceae), Pachyrhizus (family Fabaceae), and Adenium (family Apocynaceae).
Etymology
Latin caudex, n.; tree trunk.[2]
References
- ^ Simpson, M. G. 2006. Plant Systematics. Elsevier Academic Press. Pg. 551.
- ^ http://www.thefreedictionary.com/caudex
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Caudices |
- Bihrmann's Caudiciforms Extensive listing of caudiciforms, images for most species
- Wayne's Word Caudiciform Plants With An Enlarged Caudex
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