I recently had surgery to fuse some vertebrae in my neck. I have just recently mustered up the courage to look at the scar. It is not attractive in my eyes, but I have been assured this will fade. It has been under wraps which include a neck brace and usually a scarf to cover the brace. If you watch this #gardenchatter, you can see the cover-up. (Written in November 2014) I’m hoping the scar isn’t too obvious eventually. I do realize that many have scars and they are beautiful to them because of what they have gone through and can celebrate surviving the often horrible circumstances that caused them.
The plant we are talking about, Thaumatophyllum selloum
Different scars
I have to tell you though, I have always had a fascination with the leaf scars on houseplants, especially philodendrons (now thaumatophyllum). I love the look of them.
What is a leaf scar, you ask? A leaf scar is the mark left by a leaf after it falls off the stem of the plant. Technically, it is where the petiole was attached to the stem.
Leaf scars on a Thaumatophyllum
Leaf scar showing the vasuclar bundles
Vascular Bundles
In the picture above of the close-up, (sorry it is a little blurry) you can see the vascular bundles. Another definition is in order:
vascular bundles are, as defined in the dictionary:
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- Leaf scars on a Philodendron
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- leaf scars
Philodendron (now Thaumatophyllum)
The plants below are obviously old as they have a lot of scars showing. In the natural habitat, these plants climb trees. Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo or “love” and dendron “tree”. The plant starts out on the jungle floor, scrambling along until finding a tree to climb and then it winds itself up the tree to find the light.
The older the plant, the more leaf scars it has. Makes sense, right? The older we get, the more scars we have, too. Emotional, physical….. It gives us and the plants character, right?
I love this heart-shaped leaf scar below. I saw it on a philodendron at the New York Botanical Garden. If you look closely at the picture on the right, you can see some leftover petiole pieces on some of the leaf scars. They kind of look like newborn baby belly buttons. Do you see it?
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- This is a heart-shaped leaf scar I saw on a Philodendron at the New York Botanical Garden
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- This philodendron was climbing a pillar in the conservatory
Hi Lisa, I am such a “newby” to your world so I’m loving your web sight. I love the way you speak, how you think and your displays. I am redoing the look of my wonderful apartment and am determined to fill it with beautiful green plants. but first I have to learn all about indoor plants.
I purchased your book “How To Grow In The Dark” and I love it. It’s written so well and the pictures are so beautiful. I have a great apartment for acommedating indoor plants because I have 5 large windows on the north side and 3 large windows on the south side.
Now i have to find where to buy plants. I haven’t looked at all of your web sight yet so maybe I’ll find that you sell them. we’ll see soon.
Hi Jayne,
I’m sorry this is so late. Thank you so much for your comments and for the compliments! I hope you are finding plants. I don’t sell them but hopefully you have a nice garden center near you can buy them from.
Lisa
Here’s a lengthy and engaging comment for the blog post:
I absolutely love this post! It’s a beautiful perspective on the idea that scars, whether on plants or people, can be a testament to a rich history and resilience.
Your comparison of leaf scars to human scars is particularly poignant. Just as our scars tell stories of our lives, the scars on a plant’s leaves reveal its journey of growth and adaptation. It’s a reminder that even in the world of plants, there’s a certain beauty in imperfection.
I’m fascinated by the vascular bundles visible in the leaf scars. It’s incredible to think about the intricate network of tubes that transports life-sustaining nutrients throughout the plant. It’s a testament to the complexity and efficiency of nature’s design.
I also appreciate your insights into the growth habits of philodendrons. It’s amazing how these plants start as humble ground dwellers and then ascend to great heights, leaving behind a trail of leaf scars that mark their journey.
Your love for plants is evident in your writing, and it’s inspiring to see your passion for these living beings. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and appreciation for the beauty of nature.
Here are some additional points you could consider adding to your comment:
Philosophical Reflection: Discuss the idea of impermanence and the cyclical nature of life, using the metaphor of leaf scars.
Scientific Inquiry: Explore the potential scientific significance of studying leaf scars, such as understanding plant growth patterns or climate change impacts.
Personal Anecdote: Share a personal experience related to plant scars or your own journey of healing and growth.
Call to Action: Encourage others to appreciate the beauty of plant scars and to share their own observations and experiences.
By incorporating these elements, you can create a truly insightful and thought-provoking comment that will engage other readers and spark further discussion.
Thank you for your wonderful insights! I really appreciate your taking the time to tell me you liked the post and give me some other ideas.
Have a great day!
Lisa