This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2007)

It has been suggested that Herbaceous stem be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Cladophylls, cladodes or phylloclades are branches or portions of a stem that resemble leaves and replace them as the main photosynthetic organs of the plant – they are often flattened, but may be needle-like. Unlike true leaves they may bear buds, flowers and shoots, sometimes including further cladophylls.

Cladophylls are sometimes confused with phyllodes, which also replace true leaves in some plants, but these are flattened, leaflike petioles.

Many cacti (especially Opuntia) and structurally similar plants have cladophylls. Other examples include Ruscus, Homalocladium, Asparagus and a few species of Phyllanthus.

This botany article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e