Phylloclade

A Phyllokladium is a metamorphosis of the shoot axis for the purpose of photosynthesis. Phylloclades are green, limited in growth, surface broadened short shoots ( side shoots ), who took over in plants with reduced leaves their function. Stomata ( stomata ) do not occur on the stem axis, unlike true leaves, which gives plants with phylloclades an advantage in warm, dry areas.

Because of the limited length growth they see pinnate leaves often deceptively similar, but can be recognized by two features.

• On the bases of the phylloclades are mostly scale-like reduced set of true leaves.
• The flowers are apparently formed on the leaves, which in seed plants, however, is never the case.

Phylloclades occur for example in the following families and genera.

• Asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ): Asparagus (Asparagus ), Danae, butcher's broom ( Ruscus ), Semele
• Phyllanthaceae: Phyllanthus
• Legumes ( Fabaceae ): Acacia (Acacia ) - there are also very similar looking Phyllodien
• Podocarpus plants ( Podocarpaceae ): Phyllocladus
• Journal of cacti ( Phyllocacti )

Are similar and therefore often confused with phylloclades

• Platykladien: flattened long shoots (main shoots ), most of which are almost leaf-shaped.
• Phyllodes: flattened and leaf -like petioles.

In the literature it is often the alternative spelling " Phyllocladium " or find " Phyllocladien ".