The anthurium andreanum flower grows on a long yellowish spike called a spadix. The outer portion, called a spathe, is red and leathery.

Anthurium Andreanum Flower

The anthurium andreanum flower grows on a long yellowish spike called a spadix. The outer portion, called…

"Arum maculatum. a, leaves and root; b, spathe, with base of spadix exposed; c, fruit." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Arum Maculatum

"Arum maculatum. a, leaves and root; b, spathe, with base of spadix exposed; c, fruit." — Chambers'…

"1. Spathe of Arum maculatum; 2. its spadix loaded with flowers; 3. an anther; 4. a transverse section of an ovary; 5. a cluster of ripe fruits; 6. a seed; 7. a section of the same, showing the embryo." -Lindley, 1853

Wild Arum

"1. Spathe of Arum maculatum; 2. its spadix loaded with flowers; 3. an anther; 4. a transverse section…

"A genus of Palms, of which about sixeen species are known, natives of tropical America, remarkable for the abundance of acute and formidable spines, in some cases, a foot long, with which almost every part- stem, leaves, spathe, and fruit-stalk-is armed." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Astrocaryum

"A genus of Palms, of which about sixeen species are known, natives of tropical America, remarkable…

An illustration of a portion of cocoanut palm's young spathe with enclosed inflorescence.

Cocoanut Palm

An illustration of a portion of cocoanut palm's young spathe with enclosed inflorescence.

A spathe is a bract or leaf enwrapping a spike or cluster or blossoms.

Spathe

A spathe is a bract or leaf enwrapping a spike or cluster or blossoms.

"Stemless Palm. b, spadix, with spathe forming a hood over fruit; c, fruit, about one-fifth natural size." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Stemless Palm

"Stemless Palm. b, spadix, with spathe forming a hood over fruit; c, fruit, about one-fifth natural…

"Pistia Stratiotes. 1. A spathe with its 2 flowers; 2. a section of a seed-vessel; 3. a seed; 4. the same cut perpendicularly." -Lindley, 1853

Water Cabbage

"Pistia Stratiotes. 1. A spathe with its 2 flowers; 2. a section of a seed-vessel; 3. a seed; 4. the…

"Stratiotes aloides. 1. a flower and spathe; 2. a flower split open; 3. a fruit in its spathe; 4. a section of the fruit; 5. an embryo." -Lindley, 1853

Water Pineapple

"Stratiotes aloides. 1. a flower and spathe; 2. a flower split open; 3. a fruit in its spathe; 4. a…