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Cataphylls of Dracontium
subtend the petiole and protect the young growth. They often extend to 2-20
cm above the ground level on the petiole (
Fig. 13 ). The innermost cataphyll, which is also the longest, sometimes
completely embraces the young leaf at its very early growing stages (
Fig. 14 ). It is light brown to dark brown and often tinged pink (sometimes
with purple dots) above the ground, and whitish, tinged pink or light brown
underground (
Fig. 15 ). It often dries and turns brown long before the leaf blade fully
expanded, and is usually rots away becoming barely visible after the leaf
blade has fully expanded (
Fig. 16 ).
