Phyllocladium
A phyllodes is a metamorphosis of the stem axis for the purpose of photosynthesis . Phyllocladia are green short shoots (side shoots ) with limited growth and widened areas , which have taken over their function in plants with reduced leaves (false leaves).
Because of the limited growth in length, they often look deceptively similar to pinnate leaves, but can be recognized by two features.
- At the bases of the phyllocladia are the mostly scaled reduced real leaves.
- The flowers appear to be formed on the leaves, but this is never the case with seed plants .
Phyllocladia, for example, occur in the following families and genera .
- Asparagaceae : Asparagus ( Asparagus ), Danae , Butcher's Broom ( Ruscus ), Semele
- Phyllanthaceae : Phyllanthus
- Legumes (Fabaceae): Jacksonia , Acacia ( Acacia ) - there are also very similar looking phyllodes
- Stone slices (Podocarpaceae): Phyllocladus
- Leaf cacti (phyllocacti)
Similar and therefore often confused with phyllocladia
- Platycladia : flattened long shoots (main shoots ), which are usually only approximately leaf-shaped.
- Phyllodes : flattened and leaf-shaped petioles.
In the literature, the alternative spelling “Phyllocladium” or “Phyllocladien” can often be found.
Web links
- Phyllocladia in butcher's broom ( Ruscus aculeatus )
- Phyllocladia in Phyllocladus trichomanoides ( Memento from July 19, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
Commons : Cladodes - collection of images, videos and audio files
