THE STEM 189 
The scape is a stem rising from the ground and bearing flowers 
but no leaves, as the dandelion, violet, or blood root. 
A tendril is a modification of some special organ, as of a leaf 
stipule, leaflet or branch, capable of coiling spirally and used by a 
plant in climbing. The tendrils 
of the Grape Vine are modified 
inflorescence branches, those of 
Sarsaparilla are modified stipules 
and those of the Pea are modified 
leaflets. The ends of the tendrils 
of the Japan Ivy become swollen 
and flattened, forming adhesive 
discs which cling to objects with 
which they come into contact. 
A spine or thorn is the indurated 
termination of a stem tapering to 
a point, as the thorns of the Honey 
Locust. 
Prickles are outgrowths of the 
epidermis and cortex and are seen 
on the stems of the roses, green- 
briers, etc. 
A stolon or runner is a prostrate 
or reclining branch, the end of 
which, on coming in contact with 
the soil, takes root, so giving rise 
to a new plant. Examples: 
Currant and Raspberry. Short 
stolons like those of the Houseleek Fs is ted ex Hevea (Bice 
are called offsets. dioica). (Palladin.) 
A bulbel or bulbil is a small, 
bulb-shaped, young aerial shoot which serves as an organ of veg- 
etative multiplication by falling off the stem and developing into 
a new plant. The Garlic and Tiger Lily are good examples of 
plants which produce bulbels. 
An herbaceous stem is one which is soft in texture and readily 
broken. Example: Lily-of-the-Valley. 
An undershrub or suffruticose stem is a stem of small size and 
woody only at the base. Examples: Bittersweet, Thyme, etc. 
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