File:The natural history of plants, their forms, growth, reproduction, and distribution; (1902) (14781199254).jpg

Identifier: naturalhistoryof01kern (find matches)
Title: The natural history of plants, their forms, growth, reproduction, and distribution;
Year: 1902 (1900s)
Authors: Kerner von Marilaun, Anton, 1831-1898 Oliver, Francis Wall, 1864- Macdonald, Mary Frances Ewart Busk, Marian Balfour, Lady
Subjects: Botany
Publisher: London, Blackie
Contributing Library: NCSU Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: NCSU Libraries

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site one another, on each of which only thethree hooked limbs are at first developed, appearing to be extended for prehensilepurposes, just as in a bird of prey. If the shoot oscillating in the air fails toencounter an object which it can seize with its claws, the latter fold back, and theleaflets are developed. Before the following day the filamentous stem has produceda new portion similarly equipped. These fresh claws are again extended, and thesupple stem again sways in the wind, in the hope of being able to catch hold ofa firm object. The same thing is repeated day after day until some suitableanchorage comes within reach of the elongating shoot. Now is the time for thedevelopment of the clamp-roots, which have to fix the stem to the substratumstill more firmly than the claws could do. The climbing roots are really alreadypresent at each node of the filamentous stem as small protuberances, but theyremain quite short until such time as the swaying shoot effects its attachment. Then
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Fig. im.—Ficus Beniamina with incrusting climbinpr roots. (After a drawinj: from nature, by Selleny.) 708 CLIMBING PLANTS. they grow out, elongate, and produce lateral branches, as may be seen in fig. 170.Under favourable conditions, i.e. when these swaying shoots reach an unoccupiedsupport and become permanently attached there by their scandent roots, theseanchoring shoots exhibit a marked change of habit. They give rise to vigorousand compact shoots with simple leaves destitute of claws, and may unfold flowersand ripen fruit. In due time, when the space has become occupied, pendent shootsare again produced which explore the neighbourhood for a new anchorage in themanner already described. The group of root-climbers as a whole undoubtedly presents many pointsof resemblance to forms with stems prostrate on the ground. The climbingstems of Ivy remind one of the stems of Periwinkle, the climbing stems of speciesof Pothos of the creeping stems of the Snake-root (Calla pcdustris), the c

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