Spathe

Spathe (Spatha), in Botany, a sheathing bract which encloses one or more flowers, as in the Narcissus. Very frequently the flowers within a spathe are arranged upon a spadix, which is a succulent spike, with numerous flowers, and of which a familiar example may be seen in Arum maculatum. The spadix is a characteristic feature of the Palms, and in them is compound or branching, and in general is provided not only with a common spathe, but with secondary spathes at its divisions.