Caudex \Cau"dex\, n.; pl. L. {Caudices}, E. {Caudexes}. [L.] (Bot.) The stem of a tree., esp. a stem without a branch, as of a palm or a tree fern; also, the perennial rootstock of an herbaceous plant.
caudex n 1: persistent thickened stem of a herbaceous perennial plant [syn: {stock}] 2: woody stem of palms and tree ferns [also: {caudices} (pl)]