190 PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANY 
A shrubby or fruticose stem is a woody stem larger than the pre- 
ceding and freely branching near the ground. Example: Lilac, 
rc; 
A trunk is the woody main stem of a tree. 
A twig is that portion of a woody branch which has developed 
during the last growing season. 
HERB, SHRUB AND TREE 
An Hers is a plant whose stem does not become woody and 
permanent, but usually dies, at least down to the ground, after 
| 
Fic. 120.—An elm tree in summer and winter. To illustrate alike the deliques- 
cent habit of branching and the deciduous nature of this tree (dropping its leaves 
in autumn and developing new ones in the spring). (Atwood.) 
flowering. Herbs are either annual, biennial or perennial (see 
pp. 162-163). When a perennial herb possesses an aerial stem 
which develops leaves that persist on the stem over winter, as 
the Partridge Berry, it is called an evergreen herb. 
A Tree is a perennial woody plant of considerable size, 
attaining a height of 15 or more feet, and having as the above- 
ground parts a trunk and a crown of leafy branches. 
