spadix

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Peace lily inflorescence

spadix

plant anatomy

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July 14, 2026

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Peace lily inflorescence — Peace lily inflorescence A large white leafy spathe underlying a spadix in Spathiphyllum. The fleshy spike develops male flowers above and female flowers below.

The spadix is a floral spike with a fleshy axis, often found in plants like the calla lily and peace lily. This structure is part of the plant's reproductive system, where tiny flowers are located on the spadix itself. It is typically enclosed by a modified leaf called a spathe. The term "spadix" comes from Latin, meaning "frond torn from a palm tree," while "spathe" is derived from the Latin word for broadsword, referencing its shape.1

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angiosperm
Inflorescences
…the Araceae is called a spadix, and the underlying bract is known as a spathe. A catkin (or ament) is a spike in which all the flowers are of only one sex, either staminate or carpellate. The catkin is usually pendulous, and the petals and sepals are reduced to aid…
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…the Araceae is called a spadix, and the underlying bract is known as a spathe. A catkin (or ament) is a spike in which all the flowers are of only one sex, either staminate or carpellate. The catkin is usually pendulous, and the petals and sepals are reduced to aid…
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Cyclanthaceae
…a rodlike structure called a spadix. Each spadix is surrounded by several conspicuous sheathing spathes (leaflike or petallike structures) that usually fall as the flowers mature. The flowers are characteristically arranged either in spiraling groups of one female surrounded by four male flowers or in alternating whorls of male and…
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…a rodlike structure called a spadix. Each spadix is surrounded by several conspicuous sheathing spathes (leaflike or petallike structures) that usually fall as the flowers mature. The flowers are characteristically arranged either in spiraling groups of one female surrounded by four male flowers or in alternating whorls of male and…
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inflorescence
Indeterminate inflorescence.
A spadix is a spike borne on a fleshy stem and is common in the family Araceae (e.g., Philodendron). The subtending bract is called a spathe.
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A spadix is a spike borne on a fleshy stem and is common in the family Araceae (e.g., Philodendron). The subtending bract is called a spathe.
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titan arum
Inflorescence
…flower spike, known as a spadix, surrounded by a petal-like collar known as a spathe. The large furrowed spathe is green to cream-colored on the outside and tightly encloses the spadix before opening to reveal its deep crimson to purple interior. The upper, visible half of the spadix is smooth…
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…flower spike, known as a spadix, surrounded by a petal-like collar known as a spathe. The large furrowed spathe is green to cream-colored on the outside and tightly encloses the spadix before opening to reveal its deep crimson to purple interior. The upper, visible half of the spadix is smooth…
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