104 ZHSSONS WITS PLANTS 



the "leaves" arise in clusters from the axils of 

 the scales, h h. The scales, then, are the leaves, 

 and the leafy bodies — which perform the functions 

 of leaves — are branches. The asparagus plant, 

 therefore, has no green leaves. 



114. The so-called smilax of florists (much used 

 for decoration) is closely allied to the asparagus. 



Fig. 102. 

 Spray of florists' smilax. 



(Fig. 102.) The leaves are seen to be minute dry 

 scales, while the branches have developed into ex- 

 panded leaf- like bodies, and the flowers are borne 

 from supernumerary buds (recall the orange, Fig. 

 98). A further proof that these foliaceous bodies 

 are branches occurs in the closely allied butcher's 

 broom of the Old World, in. which flowers arise 

 from the axil of a little scale borne upon the 

 midrib of this leaf -like branch.. Branches may not 

 only perform the functions of leaves, therefore, 

 but may have all the appearance of leaves. 



