Cladode (Phylloclade)
Cladode or phylloclade stems are flattened
structures often resembling leaves.
Nodes can be evident and sometimes shortlived leaves can be present.
Opuntia
Schlumbergera
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Cladode (Phylloclade)
Technically, a phylloclade has numerous internodes, while a cladode
has only a few (often one) stem segment with an aborted meristem.
Cladodes in ribbon bush
(Homalocladium platyclados).
Each node has a cluster of flowers.
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Cladodes in Butcher’s broom
(Ruscus). Each cladode has a single
inflorescence in the center of the stem.
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Cladode (Phylloclade)
Butcher’s broom (Ruscus) has the interesting
habit of producing a single inflorescence in
the middle of an individual cladode.
Ruscus hypoglossum
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Cladode (Phylloclade)
The stems of Colletia paradoxa
consists of individual cladodes
with a tipped spine.
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Cladode (Phylloclade)
The “leaves” of an asparagus plant
are actually cladodes.
Asparagus setaceus
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