Phylloclade, phyllode, cladophyll, and cladode are botanically distinct anatomical structures
the verdict
CONTESTED PARTIAL
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
2 sources for · 1 against
AS REPORTEDno primary record reached; this is what the reporting says
Botanical reference sources indicate that while some structures like phyllodes (modified petioles) are structurally distinct from stems, definitions for terms like phylloclades and cladodes overlap or are used interchangeably by different authors.
# How different are these terms: Phylloclade, Phyllode, Cladophyll and Cladode?
- Tags: botany, terminology, definitions, morphology
- Score: 6
- Views: 12,413
- Answers: 2
- Asked by: paracetamol (1,579 rep)
- Asked on: Aug 13, 2017
- Last active: Nov 12, 2018
- License: CC BY-SA 3.0
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## Question
We started with _Plant Morphology_ in class (specifically, the morphology of angiosperms).
My teacher's provided us with the following terms and their definitions.
> * **Phylloclade**
>
> A modified stem that is flattened or cylindrical and capable of unlimited growth. They are green and capable of photosynthesis. Examples include; _Opuntia, Epiphyllum, Casuarina, Euphorbia._
>
> * **Cladophyll** (also called a **Cladode**)
>
> A modified stem capable of limited growth. They are green and capable of photosynthesis. They bear an axillary bud at the their middle, from which flowers develop. Examples include; _Ruscus_, and some _Asparagus_ species.
No mention of the term "**Phyllode**"...yet.
- * *
Now I'm sure I _understand_ the definitions provided, however, I'm beginning to seriously question the _validity_ of those definitions.
Apparently, these terms aren't documented ve
Phylloclade
Flower clusters along the edge of the phylloclades/cladodes of Phyllanthus angustifolius
Phylloclades and cladodes are flattened, photosynthetic shoots, which are usually considered to be modified branches. The two terms are used either differently or interchangeably by different authors. Phyllocladus, a genus of conifer, is named after these structures. Phylloclades/cladodes have been identified in fossils dating from as early as the Permian.
## Definition and morphology
The term "phylloclade" is from the Neo-Latin phyllocladium, itself derived from Greek phyllo, leaf, and klados, branch.
Definitions of the terms "phylloclade" and "cladode" vary. All agree that they are flattened structures that are photosynthetic and resemble leaf-like branches. In one definition, phylloclades are a subset of cladodes, namely those that greatly resemble or perform the function of leaves, as in Butcher's broom(Ruscus aculeatus) as well as Phyllanthus and some Asparagus species.
By an alternative definition, cladodes are distinguished by their limited growth and that they involve only one or two internodes. By this definition, some of the most leaf-like structures are cladodes, ra
Phyllode
Phyllodes are modified petioles or leaf stalks, which are leaf-like in both appearance and function. In some plants, these become flattened and widened, while the leaf itself becomes reduced or vanishes altogether. Thus the phyllode comes to serve the purpose of the leaf. Some important examples are Euphorbia royleana which are cylindrical and Opuntia which are flattened.
Acacia suaveolens(Sm.) Willd. [as Mimosa suaveolens Sm.] La Billardière(Labillardière), J.-J. Houton de, Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen, vol. 2: p. 87, t. 236 (1804) (Poiteau)
They are common in the genus Acacia, especially the Australian species, at one time put in Acacia subg. Phyllodineae. Sometimes, especially on younger plants, partially formed phyllodes bearing reduced leaves can be seen. The illustration (to the right) of Acacia suaveolens from Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen shows the juvenile true leaves, together with the developing phyllodes, and the phyllodes of the mature plant.
The genus, Daviesia, in the family Fabaceae, is characterised in part by the plants having phyllodes.
## Gallery
Blackwood Acacia phyllode and leaf on juvenile specimen.
- Phyllodes in Fabaceae
## Ref
Everything we examined (3) — 2 independent sources
This check searched the claim as stated. It did not run a separate search for evidence against it.