50 
Garden Work 
dying down again at the end of the season. This goes on 
year after year, so long as the plant is kept in a healthy 
state. Such plants are: Phlox, Michaelmas Daisy, Her- 
baceous Pseony, &c. 
( 6 ) Woody perennials. Such plants continue to grow 
year after year, both root and stem, as long as they remain 
in a healthy condition. For convenience they are divided 
into two sections: i. Those producing a main stem, which 
takes the lead, and keeps it more or less throughout life. 
These, known as trees, are familiar to everyone, and 
they sometimes live to a very great age, as in the case of 
the Oak and the Yew. 2 . Those which do not produce 
a main stem, or, if they do, the side shoots or branches 
grow out strongly, and overtake it, forming what is known 
as a shrub. Examples of these are seen in the Aucuba, 
Laurels, Rhododendrons, &c. 
PLANTS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VARIOUS 
FUNCTIONS AND MODES OF LIFE 
First amongst these might be mentioned the lovely 
Orchids, which in their natural habitat grow curiously on 
the branches and trunks of forest trees, &c. Their roots 
cling to the stems of the trees. When the leaves fall from 
the tree, many are caught amongst the roots of the Orchid. 
Here they decay. The roots of the Orchid spread amongst 
this substance, absorbing the plant food from it, while large 
masses of aerial roots are formed, which absorb the moisture 
from the humid atmosphere in which they grow. Such 
plants are called Epiphytes. 
The Mistletoe is another plant with a peculiar habit, 
It grows on the stems of certain trees — Apple, &c., but, 
