Botanical Section 



[pt I 



stems — or rhizomes as they are termed. Almost all grasses have 

 fibrous roots which arise in one or both of the ways just described 

 (see Figs. ] and 5). In a few species only the roots are tough 

 and cord-like. 





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Fig. 1. Showing mass of fibrous roots produced by wheat plants 

 within seven weeks after sowing in pot. 



Stems. The flowering stems — termed " culms" — are cylindrical, 

 and hollow except at the nodes, where they are Arm and solid 

 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). Each node — or joint — forms the point of attach- 

 ment of a leaf. The portions of the stem between the nodes are the 

 internodes. Every stem arises within the axil of a leaf-sheath. 

 If each stem grows up within the sheath close tufts of foliage are 

 formed (e.g. Oat). This is known as the intra-vaginal mode of 



