the main axis of growth in the pine tree and similar plants: the main stem, which elongates from the tip and gives rise to lateral branches
Compare sympodium
Derived forms
monopodial (ˌmonoˈpodial)
adjective
monopodially (ˌmonoˈpodially)
adverb
Word origin
C19: New Latin, from Greek monopous, from mono- + pous foot
monopodium in American English
(ˌmɑnoʊˈpoʊdiəm)
nounWord forms: pluralˌmonoˈpodia (ˌmɑnoʊˈpoʊdiə)
Botany
a single main stem that continues to extend at the apex in its original line of growth, giving off lateral branches or axes, as the trunk of certain pine trees