Design and Tradition / A short account of the principles and historic development of architecture and the applied arts

by Amor Fenn

Leaves

The detail of these smaller leaves may be less complex as they approach the terminals, a characteristic in natural growth where the necessary energy to produce the flowers results in restricted development of the leaves on the flower stalk.

Equally consistent from the nature point of view is the employment of the large husk leaves which generally cover the points of branch emergence. As already stated, these are not articulated, but either spring tangentially from or are threaded on the main stem in contrast to the smaller leaves, which are often provided with individual stems. Occasionally the scroll terminals are not furnished with flowers but develop into sprays of small leaves radially disposed.