Term:

Photosynthetic stems

Definition:

Stems that harbor chlorophyll which gives them a green color. Often plants with photosynthetic stems drop their leaves (are deciduous) at a certain time of year and whatever photosynthesis that takes place at that time is within the stem chlorophyll. Usually plants with photosynthetic stems grow under environmental stress at certain times of the year, e.g., extremely dry periods during which considerable evapotranspiration would take place if the leaves were retained.