A spathe and spadix in plants makes for a unique and lovely
type of flowering structure. Some of the plants that have these structures are popular
potted houseplants, so you may actually already have one. Learn more about the
spathe and spadix structure, what it looks like, and which plants have it by
reading the following information.
What is a Spathe and Spadix?
An inflorescence
is the entire flowering structure of a plant and these can vary quite a lot
from one type of plant to the next. In one type, there is a spathe and a spadix
making up the inflorescence, sometimes referred to as a spathe flower.
The spathe looks like a large flower petal, but it is
actually a bract.
Confused yet? A bract is a modified leaf and is often brightly colored and
stands out more than the actual flower does. Poinsettia
is an example of a plant with showy bracts.
A spathe is a single bract that surrounds the spadix, which
is a flowering spike. It is typically thick and fleshy, having very tiny
flowers clustered on it. You may not be able to tell these are actually
flowers. A fun fact about the spadix is that in some plants it actually
produces heat, probably to attract pollinators.
Examples of Spathes and Spadices
Spadix and spathe identification can be pretty easy once you
know what to look for. This unique type of flower arrangement is striking in
its simplistic beauty. You’ll find it in the plants of the arum,
or Araceae family.
Some examples of plants in this family with a spathe and
spadix are:
One of the most unusual members of this family with a spathe
and spadix is the titan arum, also known as the corpse flower. This unique
plant has the largest inflorescence of any other and gets its common name from
its stinking aroma that draws in flies for its sustenance.
A spathe and spadix in plants makes for a unique and lovely
type of flowering structure. Some of the plants that have these structures are popular
potted houseplants, so you may actually already have one. Learn more about the
spathe and spadix structure, what it looks like, and which plants have it by
reading the following information.
What is a Spathe and Spadix?
An inflorescence
is the entire flowering structure of a plant and these can vary quite a lot
from one type of plant to the next. In one type, there is a spathe and a spadix
making up the inflorescence, sometimes referred to as a spathe flower.
The spathe looks like a large flower petal, but it is
actually a bract.
Confused yet? A bract is a modified leaf and is often brightly colored and
stands out more than the actual flower does. Poinsettia
is an example of a plant with showy bracts.
A spathe is a single bract that surrounds the spadix, which
is a flowering spike. It is typically thick and fleshy, having very tiny
flowers clustered on it. You may not be able to tell these are actually
flowers. A fun fact about the spadix is that in some plants it actually
produces heat, probably to attract pollinators.
Examples of Spathes and Spadices
Spadix and spathe identification can be pretty easy once you
know what to look for. This unique type of flower arrangement is striking in
its simplistic beauty. You’ll find it in the plants of the arum,
or Araceae family.
Some examples of plants in this family with a spathe and
spadix are:
One of the most unusual members of this family with a spathe
and spadix is the titan arum, also known as the corpse flower. This unique
plant has the largest inflorescence of any other and gets its common name from
its stinking aroma that draws in flies for its sustenance.