phyllotaxis

noun

phyl·​lo·​tax·​is ˌfi-lə-ˈtak-səs How to pronounce phyllotaxis (audio)
variants or less commonly phyllotaxy
1
: the arrangement of leaves on a stem and in relation to one another
2
: the study of phyllotaxis and of the laws that govern it

Examples of phyllotaxis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Botanists use the divergence angles, or angles between consecutive leaves, to define a plant’s phyllotaxis. Maddie Burakoff, Smithsonian, 6 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phyllotaxis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin phyllotaxis, from phyll- + -taxis

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of phyllotaxis was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near phyllotaxis

Cite this Entry

“Phyllotaxis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phyllotaxis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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