20 PLANTS: THEIR NATURAL GROWTH 



In some cases the upright growth of the central axis is suddenly terminated, when a flat 

 (Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum), concave (Fig, Ficus carica), or convex (Teasel, Dipsacus 

 sylvestris), cushion-like head is formed, and on this a number of sessile flowers are congregated, 

 as in the plants just mentioned ; or, as in the Leopard's Bane (Doronicum pardalianches, fig. 193), 

 the Aster Alpinum (fig. 296), the. T>3.\sy (Bellis perennis), or the Dandelion (Taraxacum dens- 

 leonis). It will be noticed, therefore, that what we should, as ornamentists, term the flower of the 

 Daisy, is really an aggregation of very many flowers into one head. This form of inflorescence is 

 termed the capitulum. 



There are several other forms, as the cyme, amentum, spadix, and fascicle, and also 

 modifications of those already described ; thus it is not uncommon to find a floral axis racemose 

 at the base, and spicate above : or, in other cases, spicate in the early part of its existence, and 

 becoming racemose as it becomes more developed ; but however interesting physiologically, we 

 need not now, for our present purpose, dwell upon them, since the type forms of inflorescence 

 mentioned are those that will most readily lend themselves to the requirements of ornamental art. 

 Any of our readers desirous of further information on these points can at once acquire it by 

 turning to any manual of descriptive botany. 



The tendrils of the Bryony are a beautiful feature, though, from their lightness of form, 

 they become features of greater beauty in surface decoration (see fig. 131) than it is possible to 

 make them in relief work. 



Tendrils (Lat. teneo, to hold) are, botanically, and with a view to ornamental treatment, of 

 various kinds ; thus the Bryony and the Passion Flower throw them out from the stem, while in 

 the Everlasting Pea (fig. 163) they spring from the end of the leaf petiole : they are sometimes 

 single, at other times branched. The upper leaflets of a pinnate leaf are sometimes converted 

 into tendrils : we see this very well exemplified in the Pea already referred to. In the Stropharir 

 thus hispidus, of Sierra Leone, each lobe of the five divisions of the corolla is prolonged into a 

 filament of some seven inches in length, serving all the purposes of a true tendril. Tendrils are 

 only met with in a fully-developed form in plants of a soft and flexible nature ; thus those plants 

 — belonging to the Viciece, Passifloreee, and many other groups — that have weak stems have well- 

 developed tendrils : while in other and stronger plants in the same orders, we find that they are 

 rudimentary or altogether absent. Tendril-bearing plants, being dependent upon others for their 

 support, are naturally found either in forests, as in many fine tropical examples ; or amongst 

 thickets and hedges, as in the case of the Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis); or the Bush 

 Vetch ( Vicia septum,, fig. 1 24). 



The twisting of tendrils or twining stems is based on a rigid law, and always has the same 

 direction in the same species. In the French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), or large Garden Con- 

 volvulus (Ipomcsa purpurea), for example, the spiral always ascends to the left ; while in the Hop 

 (Humulus Lupulus) it is always from left to right. It may, at first sight, seem difficult to verify 

 this, but if the reader will imagine the plant in question to be turning round his own body he will 

 at once be able to determine whether the plant, in ascending, would cross in front of him from 

 right to left, or the reverse. The Bryony presents a peculiarity which, so far as we are aware, is 

 exclusively its own ; the tendrils suddenly, in the middle of their course, change their direction, 

 the upper half twining in a contrary direction to the lower. 



The means of support employed by climbing plants are very varied. In many cases the 

 main stem twines and gives the needed support — the Corn Convolvulus (Convolvulus arvensis) is 

 an illustration of this mode of growth ; at other times, as in the Ivy (Hedera Helix), root-like 

 processes are thrown out from the stems, and by their grasp and powers of penetration into the 

 hollows of brick or stone-work, or the rugged tree-bark, amply suffice to sustain the plant. The 

 Goose-grass (Galium Aparine) clings by means of the small hook-like appendages with which the 

 stems and undersides of the leaves are furnished. In the Plectocomia elongata, one of the tallest 

 species of Palms, the stern is so slender that it needs the support of others stronger than itself; to 

 obtain this, the long pinnate leaves terminate in a series of recurved hooks or spines, of complex 

 form and immense strength ; and by these the plant, thrusting its leaves upwards (each leaf being 

 some thirty feet long) amongst the branches of the surrounding trees, secures itself perfectly. In 

 some plants the leaf-stems twine round any suitable object — the Garden Canadensis (Tropcsolum 

 peregrinum) is a very beautiful illustration of this ; while in other instances, as in the Dodder 

 (Cuscuta Europcea), little tubercles are developed, which, becoming hollow underneath, act as 

 suckers by the vacuum produced. So great then is the diversity of means for attaining the same 

 end, so marked the variety of operation in working out the same problem — a good illustration of 

 the wealth of resource to be seen in the works of Nature, and a lesson not without value to those 

 who would endeavour to base their art on natural beauty. 



