STEMS 79 
however, a good many cases in which the stem takes on 
a more strikingly leaf-like form. ‘The common asparagus 
sends up in spring shoots 
that bear large scales which 
are really reduced leaves. 
Later in the season, what 
seem like thread-like leaves 
cover the much-branched 
mature plant, but these 
green threads 
are actually mi- 
nute branches, 
Fi. 47. — Bulb of Hyacinth. which perform 
(Exterior view and split lengthwise.) the work of 
— 
=> 
a 
pega 
int 
leaves (Fig. 50). The familiar greenhouse 
climber, wrongly known as smilax (properly 
called Myrsiphyllum), bears a profusion of 
what appear to be delicate green leaves 
(Fig. 51). Close study, however, shows that 
these are really short, flattened branches, 
and that each little branch springs from 
the axil of a true leaf, 7, in the form 
of a minute scale. Sometimes a flower Fic. 4s.—Longitu- 
: : dinal Section of 
and a leaf-like branch spring from the sis Chancbe BiG 
axil of the same scale. sca, thickened base 
P ° - of leaf, forming a 
Branches which, like those of Myrsi- — }umscaie: s,thin 
phyllum, so closely resemble leaves as to = {eathot leat a 
be almost indistinguishable from them are __ int, hollow inte- 
called cladophylls. ie 
94. Modifiability of the Stem.— The stem may, as in the 
tallest trees, in the great lianas of South American forests, 
