Category:Spathe

Spathe, n. Etym: [l. spatha, gr. spathe. See spade for digging.] (bot.)

Defn: a special involucre formed of one leaf and inclosing a spadix, As in aroid plants and palms. See the note under bract, and illust. Of spadix.

Note: the name is also given to the several-leaved involucre of the Iris and other similar plants.