Spadix
(from the Greek spadix, a Palm branch bearing fruit). A form of inflorescence, usually having the rachis rather fleshy, with the flowers imbedded in pits, less often only sessile on its surface. The inflorescence, before the flowers open, is almost always entirely inclosed in one or more spathes, growing from the peduncle (e.g., Arum, ); but in a few Palms (e.g., Calamus and its allies) there are numerous spathellae or small spathes, inclosing only groups of flowers. Rarely (e.g. Acorus), the Spadix is not inclosed in either spathes or spathellae. The Spadix is usually unbranched (Anthurium, Calla, and some Palms), but in the Palms it is frequently branched (see Palmae). In the family Aroideae (Araceae), and in most genera of Palms, the flowers on the Spadices are individually male or female, but both sexes may occur on the same Spadix, or may be restricted to separate Spadices, or even to separate plants. In certain Palms, hermaphrodite flowers are produced, sometimes along with male or female flowers. Briefly, a Spadix may be defined as a more or less fleshy spike, usually inclosed, before flowering, in one or more spathes, and bearing unisexual flowers; but no exact definition of the term can be consistently adhered to.