— 196 — 
88). The year-shoots are erect, stiff, 3 to 7 centimetres long 
and frequently bear flowers in the upper axils. The distal 
flower-bearing part of the year-shoot generally seems to die 
away, though it is lignified and remains as a dry and almost 
thorny point. The next series of year-shoots arise lower 
down on the older one, and as these in turn lignify and die 
away at the tip, a system of short stiff branches is produced 
spreading in all directions. New shoots may also arise on 
branches several years old. 
The flowers in Salsola Arbuscula are inconspicuous as in 
other Chenopodiaceae. Some open in June and July, but the 
Fig. 39. Salsola Arbuscula. 
A, Cross section of a leaf: N, vein; sclerenchyma shown black. B, Hair. 
C, Surface view of a leaf: beneath the epidermal layer the cells of the 
crystal-layer are shown, one of them with a group of crystals. A, X 47; 
Band Ga 202 
majority in August or September. The flower is surrounded by 
three leaves; in front a subtending foliage leaf with a spoon- 
shaped base, and at each side a broad thick green prophyll or 
bract, sometimes scale-like, and sometimes with a short blade. 
The perianth-segments are thick-walled on both surfaces ; before 
and after anthesis they fold together forming a pyramid in 
which the stamens and carpels are enclosed. Such is the 
protection of these late-expanding flowers. The fruit (a nut) 
remains enclosed in the perianth the five parts of which 
form a broad horizontal wing. The fruit is not ripe till 
