the main axis of growth in the grapevine and similar plants: a lateral branch that arises from just behind the apex of the main stem, which ceases to grow, and continues growing in the same direction as the main stem
Compare monopodium
Derived forms
sympodial (symˈpodial)
adjective
sympodially (symˈpodially)
adverb
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from syn- + Greek podion a little foot, from pous foot
sympodium in American English
(sɪmˈpoʊdiəm)
nounWord forms: pluralsymˈpodia (sɪmˈpoʊdiə)
Botany
an apparent stem actually made up of a series of axillary branches growing one from another, giving the effect of a simple stem, as in the grape