View synonyms for spathe

spathe

[ speyth ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Botany.

a bract or pair of bracts, often large and colored, subtending or enclosing a spadix or flower cluster.

spathe

/ spəˈθeɪʃəs; speɪð /

a large bract, often coloured, that surrounds the inflorescence of aroid plants and palms

spathe

/ spāth /

A large, leaflike, often showy bract that encloses a flower cluster or spadix, as in the jack-in-the-pulpit or calla lily.

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Origin of spathe¹

1775–85; < Latin spatha < Greek spáthē blade, sword, stem; spade ²

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Origin of spathe¹

C18: from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē a blade

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The striped spathe in some species of Arisaema bears a curious resemblance to the head of a cobra uplifted to strike.

The whole of the spadix is surrounded by a large bract or spathe which is contracted a little distance above its base.

Aquatic, with the aspect of sea-weeds or mosses, with minute naked flowers from a spathe-like involucre.

Aquatics, with dicious or polygamous flowers from a spathe; outer perianth calyx-like, the inner sometimes wanting.

Aquatic, with more or less irregular perfect flowers from a spathe; perianth corolla-like.

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