slabostems
Slabostems are a proposed form of plant stem architecture in which the main axis broadens into flattened, plate-like modules that lie close to the substrate and are oriented roughly parallel to it. These slabs are connected by narrow, elongated regions that maintain vascular continuity with the rest of the plant. In this form, leaves may be reduced or absent along the slabs, giving the stem a cladode-like appearance while the overall structure remains rooted in a central axis.
Morphology and development can include thick, rigid laminae with lateral interfaces that act as surface planes
Ecology and function: The flattened plates increase horizontal surface area, which can enhance photosynthetic capacity in
Taxonomic status: The term slabostem is not a formal taxonomic category in mainstream botany and is used
See also: cladodes, phylloclades, stolons, rhizomes, plant morphology.