Spathe (?), n. [L. spatha, Gr. &?;: cf. F. spathe. See Spade for digging.]
(Bot.) A special involucre formed of one
leaf and inclosing a spadix, as in aroid plants and palms. See the Note under Bract, and Illust. of Spadix.
&fist;
The name is
also given to the several-leaved involucre of the iris and
other similar plants.
Hear it pronounced