Plants and their ways in South Africa . Fig. 91.—Cotyledon reticulata, Th. The thick waxy coverings on the leaves of Senecios, Cras-sulas, and Aloes, which shed rain, also prevent the escape ofwater in summer. Low-growing plants are often protectedby incrustations of lime, which also absorbs and retainsmoisture. Besides especial coverings of leaves, many Karroo plantshave their leaves packed as closely as possible. In Crassula Io8 Plants and theii Ways in South Africa pyramidalis^ L., Fig. 90, the leaves shade one another, and nounnecessary growth is expended in stem and branches. A plants suc
Plants and their ways in South Africa . Fig. 91.—Cotyledon reticulata, Th. The thick waxy coverings on the leaves of Senecios, Cras-sulas, and Aloes, which shed rain, also prevent the escape ofwater in summer. Low-growing plants are often protectedby incrustations of lime, which also absorbs and retainsmoisture. Besides especial coverings of leaves, many Karroo plantshave their leaves packed as closely as possible. In Crassula Io8 Plants and theii Ways in South Africa pyramidalis^ L., Fig. 90, the leaves shade one another, and nounnecessary growth is expended in stem and branches. A plants success in life is estimated by its ability to pro-duce fruit so that its kind may be perpetuated. Judging bythat standard, we cannot attribute failure to Cofvledon reti-. FlG. 92.—Crassula columnaris, L., in cultivation. On the veld it is stillmore compact with densely packed leaves. culata^ Th., in Fig. 91, although the plant looks as though it hadgrown on the principle that the end justified the means. Alarge supply of food is stored in the ungainly trunk faster thanthe slender leafless twigs give it out. There is little waste, andso the plant does not come to want during the long droughtsthat occur where this plant loves to dwell. As an example ofuntidiness it is perfect. Plant Defences 109
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectplants, bookyear1915
