Standard Lemma guide

phyllotaxis

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /fɪləˈtæksɪs/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The arrangement of leaves on a stem, or the mathematical principles governing such arrangement.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An abortive style.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From phyllo- + taxis.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Greek: φυλλοταξία (fyllotaxía) — The arrangement of leaves on a stem
  • Irish: duilleagar — The arrangement of leaves on a stem
  • Italian: fillotassi — The arrangement of leaves on a stem
  • Spanish: filotaxis — The arrangement of leaves on a stem