View source for Monopodial

[[Orchid]]s with '''monopodial''' growth habits grow upward from a single point. They add leaves to the apex each year and the stem grows longer accordingly. Flowers generally come from the stem between the leaves. Many orchids in this group produce copious aerial roots that often hang down in long drapes and have green [[chlorophyll]] underneath the grey [[root]] coverings which are used as additional photosynthetic organs. They do not have a [[rhizome]] or [[pseudobulb]]s so species adapted to dry periods have fleshy succulent leaves instead.

The word ''Mono-podial'' is derived from Greek meaning ''having one foot''.
However, with some monopodial species, the stem (the [[rhizome]]) might fork into two, but for all monopodial orchids this is not necessary for continued growth, as opposed to orchids with [[sympodial]] growth.

The term is also used for woody plants.
 
[[Category:Orchids]]
[[Category: plant morphology]]