Noun: caudex (caudices,caudexes) 'ko,deks
- Persistent thickened stem of a herbaceous perennial plant
"The caudex of the rhubarb plant survived the harsh winter";
- stock
- Woody stem of palms and tree ferns
"The caudex of the tree fern was covered in old leaf scars"
Derived forms: caudexes, caudices
Encyclopedia: Caudex