Illustration of spadix
- 1 spadix
spadix
noun
spa·dix ˈspā-diks 
plural spadices ˈspā-də-ˌsēz
: a floral spike with a fleshy or succulent axis usually enclosed in a spathe
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In a Facebook post on Monday night, the zoo said officials observed a sagging of the spadix, which is a sign that the flower will not bloom. 
Peter Rasmussen, San Antonio Express-News, 18 July 2022 Horticulture Manager John Clements was one of several garden employees who stayed overnight Sunday to photograph, measure, study and hand-pollinate the flowers at the base of the spadix. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2021 The chemical reaction that creates the acidic aroma also heats up the flower’s spadix in a process known as thermogenesis. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2021 The flower is quite striking to look at, with a huge potatolike pod, called the spadix, rising out of a frilly and fantastically colored spath, which resembles a petal. Karl J. P. Smith, Scientific American, 29 July 2016 The tall center part, called the spadix, actually heats up to help disperse its distinct odor. Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, 22 May 2019 Finally at peak bloom, the purple, velvety petal sheath opens up like an inverted umbrella to reveal the beige spadix at the center. Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Sep. 2017 The upward-facing maroon spadix resembles a bony finger. Ciscoe Morris, The Seattle Times, 31 May 2017 The yellowish-brown spadix can reach almost 6 feet tall. Ciscoe Morris, The Seattle Times, 31 May 2017 See More
Peter Rasmussen, San Antonio Express-News, 18 July 2022 Horticulture Manager John Clements was one of several garden employees who stayed overnight Sunday to photograph, measure, study and hand-pollinate the flowers at the base of the spadix. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2021 The chemical reaction that creates the acidic aroma also heats up the flower’s spadix in a process known as thermogenesis. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2021 The flower is quite striking to look at, with a huge potatolike pod, called the spadix, rising out of a frilly and fantastically colored spath, which resembles a petal. Karl J. P. Smith, Scientific American, 29 July 2016 The tall center part, called the spadix, actually heats up to help disperse its distinct odor. Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, 22 May 2019 Finally at peak bloom, the purple, velvety petal sheath opens up like an inverted umbrella to reveal the beige spadix at the center. Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Sep. 2017 The upward-facing maroon spadix resembles a bony finger. Ciscoe Morris, The Seattle Times, 31 May 2017 The yellowish-brown spadix can reach almost 6 feet tall. Ciscoe Morris, The Seattle Times, 31 May 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin spadic-, spadix, from Latin, frond torn from a palm tree, from Greek spadik-, spadix, from span to draw, pull
First Known Use
circa 1752, in the meaning defined above