[sim-poh-dee-uh
m] 
[-dee-uh] . Botany. | an axis or stem that simulates a simple stem but is made up of the bases of a number of axes that arise successively as branches, one from another, as in the grapevine. |
| sym·po·di·um (sĭm-pō'dē-əm) n. pl. sym·po·di·a (-dē-ə) Botany A primary axis that develops from a series of short lateral branches and often has a zigzag or irregular form, as in orchids of the genus Cattleya. Also called pseudaxis. [New Latin : syn- + Greek podion, base (from pous, pod-, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots).] sym·po'di·al (-dē-əl) adj., sym·po'di·al·ly adv. |