phylloclade

9.9

A flat stem that looks like a leaf and makes food for the plant

noun
/ˈfɪl.ə.kleɪd/

Specialized

: filocladio

The cactus has a phylloclade that performs photosynthesis instead of its small leaves.

Examples

Some species of Asparagus develop a phylloclade to adapt to arid conditions.
A botanist explained how the phylloclade differs structurally from an ordinary leaf.
A phylloclade is essential for some plants.
The cactus has a unique phylloclade structure.
Some species of Asparagus develop a phylloclade to adapt to arid conditions.
The cactus has a phylloclade that performs photosynthesis instead of its small leaves.
A botanist explained how the phylloclade differs structurally from an ordinary leaf.

Synonyms

phylloclad

vsphylloclade

Specialized

9.9

A flat stem that looks and works like a leaf

is the same meaning but appears as an alternative word form

cladophyll

vsphylloclade

Specialized

9.9

A flat stem that looks like and works as a leaf

is less specific about the degree of resemblance

cladode

vsphylloclade

Specialized

9.9

A flat stem that looks like a leaf and makes food for the plant, for example in cactus plants

is the same structure but emphasizes occurrence in certain plants rather than general commonness

How Leaf-Like

leaf

178 1.0

phylloclade

Specialized

9.9

phyllode

Specialized

9.9

stem

126 1.6

Surface Forms

phylloclade singular

phylloclades plural

Morphology

phylloclade = phyllo + clade (opaque) = phyllo + clade

Both elements are technical Greek combining forms used mainly in scientific vocabulary, so an average B1 learner cannot derive the meaning from common base words.

Etymology

Phylloclade comes from Greek parts phyllo- 'leaf' and -clade 'branch'. It names a stem or branch that is flattened and acts like a leaf, so plants use a phylloclade to make food when their real leaves are small.