cladode n : a flattened stem resembling and functioning as a leaf [syn: cladophyll, phylloclad, phylloclade]

Cladophylls also called cladodes are photosynthetic branches or portions of a stem that resemble and function as a leaf, as in the asparagus. Cladophylls are flattened, modified stems that resemble leaves, many cacti and structurally similar plants have cladophylls.