phyllotaxis

noun

phyl·​lo·​tax·​is ˌfi-lə-ˈtak-səs How to pronounce phyllotaxis (audio)
variants or less commonly phyllotaxy
1
: the arrangement of leaves on a stem and in relation to one another
2
: the study of phyllotaxis and of the laws that govern it

Examples of phyllotaxis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Botanists use the divergence angles, or angles between consecutive leaves, to define a plant’s phyllotaxis. Maddie Burakoff, Smithsonian, 6 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin phyllotaxis, from phyll- + -taxis

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of phyllotaxis was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near phyllotaxis

Cite this Entry

“Phyllotaxis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phyllotaxis. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on phyllotaxis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!