What is "strobilus"

1. n. cone-shaped mass of ovule- or spore-bearing scales or bracts [syn: cone, strobile]

2. [also: strobili (pl)]

A strobilus (plural: strobili) is a structure present on many land plant species consisting of sporangia-bearing structures densely aggregated along a stem. Strobili are often called cones, but many botanists restrict the use of the term cone to the woody seed strobili of conifers. Strobili are characterized by a central axis (anatomically a stem) surrounded by spirally arranged or decussate structures that may be modified leaves or modified stems.

Leaves that bear sporangia are called sporophylls, while sporangia-bearing stems are called sporangiophores.