KINDS OF STEM AND BRANCHES. 



105 



168. A Sucker is a branch of subterranean origin, which, after 

 running horizontally and emitting roots in its course, at length, fol- 

 lowing its natural tendency, rises out of the ground and forms an 

 erect stem, which soon becomes an independent plant. The Rose, 

 the Raspberry, and the Mint, afford familiar illustrations, as well 

 as many other species which shoot up stems " from the root," as is 

 generally thought, but really from subterranean branches. By 

 cutting off the connection with the original root, the gardener prop- 

 agates such plants by division. Plants which produce suckers are 

 said to be surculose. 



169. A Runner, of which the Strawberry furnishes the most fa- 

 miliar example, is a prostrate, slender branch, sent off from the 

 base of the parent stem, which strikes root at its apex, and pro- 

 duces a tuft of leaves ; thus giving rise to an independent plant 

 capable of extending itself in the same manner. Branches of this 

 sort are termed flagelliform. 



170. An Offset is a similar, but short, prostrate branch, with a 

 tuft of leaves at the end, which, 



resting on the ground, there takes 

 root, and at length becomes inde- 

 pendent ; as in the Houseleek. 



171. A Tendril is commonly a 

 thread-like, leafless branch, capa- 

 ble of coiling spirally, by which 

 climbing plants attach themselves 

 to surrounding bodies ; as in the 

 Grape-vine (Fig. 134). But some- 

 times tendrils belong to the leaves, 

 as in the Pea ; when they are slen- 

 der prolongations of the leaf-stalk. 

 Stems or stalks which bear tendrils 

 are cirrhose, or cirrhiferous. 



172. A Spine or Thorn is an im- 

 perfectly developed, indurated, leaf- 

 less branch of a woody plant, atten- 

 uated to a sharp rigid point. Their 

 nature is manifest in the Hawthorn 



(Fig. 136), not only by their position in the axil of a leaf, but often 



FIG. 134. End of a shoot of the Grape-vine, showing the tendrils. 



