CLADOPHYLLA 



103 



branches, or are mere outgrowths of the epidermis (as 

 hairs are). 



213. The foliage 

 of asparagus is com- 

 posed of modified 

 branches. The true 

 leaves of asparagus 

 are minute whitish 

 scales {a, Fig. 147) . 

 The green foliage is 

 produced in the axils 

 of these scales. On 

 the strong spring 

 shoots of asparagus, 

 which are eaten, 

 the true leaves 

 appear as large 

 scales (a, o, Fig. 148) . These large 

 scales persist on the base of 



the asparagus plant, even in the fall. In the spe- 

 cies of greenhouse or ornamental asparagus, the 

 delicate foliage is also made up of green leaf-like 

 branches (Fig. 149). In some cases the true leaves 

 fall after a time, and there is little evidence left. 

 The strong new shoots usually show the true 

 leaves plainly (as in Fig. 150). Branches which 

 simulate leaves are known as cladophylla 

 (.singular, cladophyllum). The broad flat 

 leaves of florists' smilax (common in glass- 

 houses) are cladophylla. 

 Strong N\ 214. In the study of morphology, 



new shoot of ^ 1 • l • j. i i i x 



Asparagus m-- it IS not cuough, howcvcr, merely to 



sh^^n|7he %. determine whether a part represents 



and^the^Yranches^y root, stcm, or leaf: ouc must determine 



their'afos.^ *°"^ ^ what part or kind of root, stem, or leaf 



U. Phyllodia of acf,- 

 eia. These Australian 

 trees are sometimes 

 grown in glasshouses. 



