caudex

noun

cau·​dex ˈkȯ-ˌdeks 

plural caudices ˈkȯ-də-ˌsēz  or caudexes

1

: the stem of a palm or tree fern

2

: the woody base of a perennial plant

Examples of caudex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because most are from dry, hot-weather areas such parts of Africa or Mexico, the caudex stores water for the plant to use during long, dry stretches. —Dennis Peck | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 19 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

Latin, tree trunk or stem

First Known Use

circa 1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1