62 ELEMENTS OF BOTANY 
minute branches, which perform the work of leaves (Fig. 36). 
The familiar greenhouse climber, wrongly known as smilax 
(properly called Myrsiphyllwm), bears a profusion of what 
appear to be delicate green leaves (Fig. 37). Close study, 
however, shows that these are really short, flattened 
branches, and that each little branch springs from the 
Fic. 36. A Spray of a Common Asparagus (not the edible species). 
axil of a true leaf, 7, in the form of a minute scale. Some- 
times a flower and a leaf-like branch spring from the axil 
of the same scale. 
Branches which, like those of Myrsiphyllum, so closely 
resemble leaves as to be almost indistinguishable from 
them are called cladophylls. 
79. Modifiability of the Stem. — The stem may, as in the 
tallest trees in the great lianas of South American forests 
or the rattan of Indian jungles, reach a length of many 
hundred feet. On the other hand. in such “stemless ” 
