TENDRILS

pumpkins@mallorn.com wrote:
> 
>  Can someone explain to me what the coil looking things on the 
>  pumpkin are.
The botany books says:  Tendril = a slender coiling organ which aids in
support of plant stems. A tendril may be a modified stem, leaf, leaflet,
or stipule. They are found on cucurbits, grape, peas, and many but not
all climbing plants. 
  When I was a kid, farmers told me that damage to a tendril could kill
watermelon plants, but I am sure they were wrong. When the tendril at a
watermelon fruit dies, it is one indication that the fruit may be ready
to eat. I often cut the tendrils of cucurbits and grapes so that I can
move the vine. 
-- 
Harold Eddleman Ph.D. Microbiologist.       i*@disknet.com 
Location: Palmyra IN USA; 36 kilometers west of Louisville, Kentucky



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