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A primary axis that develops from a series of short lateral branches and often has a zigzag or irregular form, as in orchids of the genus Cattleya. Also called pseudaxis.
[New Latin : SYN– + Greek podion, base (from pous, pod-, foot).]
sympodial sym·po'di·al (-dē-əl) adj.Fusion of the lower extremities.
One of the two forms of orchid growth (the other is monopodial), wherein new growth branches off the rhizome of a previous growth, and each new growth is capable of bearing an inflorescence. See also
Orchids with sympodial growth have a specialized lateral growth pattern in which the terminal bud dies. The growth continues by development of new shoots sprouting from or next to those of previous years (such as in the genus Cattleya or Cymbidium).
The base of the stem of sympodial epiphytes, or in some species essentially the entire stem, may be thickened to form what is called a pseudobulb. These contain food reserves for drier periods. At their end appear one or two leaves, or sometimes four or more.
Some sympodial terrestrials, such as Orchis and Ophrys, have two pseudobulbs between the roots. One is used as a food reserve for wintery periods, and provides for the development of the other pseudobulb, from which visible growth develops.
In warm and humid climates, many terrestrial orchids do not need pseudobulbs.
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Gardener's Dictionary. Taylor's Dictionary for Gardeners, by Frances Tenenbaum. Copyright © 1997 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Sympodial". Read more |
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