Cladode
/ˈklædəʊd/noun
A modified green stem that resembles and performs the functions of a leaf.
Did you know?Botanists use cladodes to explain why the flat green structures of plants such as prickly pears are stems, while the true leaves have become tiny spines.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kelh₁-
“To strike, cut, or break; the proposed root behind Greek words for breaking and branches.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κλάδος (kládos)
“A branch, shoot, or bough.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
cladodium
“A stem or branch modified to resemble a leaf.”
1880
English
cladode
“A specialized stem functioning as, or resembling, a leaf.”
Modern English
English
cladode
“A leaf-like photosynthetic stem, as in asparagus or prickly pear.”
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