I have what I think is Italian (or Israeli) Ruscus foliage. It came in a floral arrangement sent to me. The flowers have long died but the two stems of this plant are not only (what seems to be) rooting (I've kept vase full of water) but the dot/bump on the back of mature leaves seems to have a tiny growth...the light colored bump has a tiny stem coming out of it. What is going on? Can I plant the 2 stems in soil? Maybe use a leaf with the growth (new sprout) on it? Thank you!

Looks like a leaf gall. You can read about them here:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/g...

Ruscus form flowers and berries in the middle of the "leaf" and in some they do that on the under-side. Since the flowers have finished my guess is that is the start of a berry.

https://www.google.ca/search?q...

Edited, forgot to add that the "leaf" in Ruscus is actually a modified stem.

That's fascinating, Sue. I've never seen a plant that did that.

Thank you all for responding! (and thank you Dave for instructions on checking this post!) :o)

plantmanager said:That's fascinating, Sue. I've never seen a plant that did that.

Thanks for the acorn Dave From what I understand Ruscus doesn't grow in North America, not native anyway (some presumably grow it because there are pics in the database), but I remember it as "butcher's broom" from when I was growing up in England. We kids used to walk through a golf course (probably weren't supposed to!) and I saw it growing in the rough there.

Yes, it is a normal, and fascinating, growth on that plant (sorry, Dave!)

I couldn't resist and bought one of these this spring for a dry shade spot. I can't wait for the flowers!

https://www.plantdelights.com/...

First there's a flower, then possibly berries. No need to leave this site to see more pics:
Butcher's Broom (Ruscus hypoglossum)

Tiffany, I gave the Google link to show Ruscus colchicus because it has the flowers/berries on the underside of the not-a-leaf as opposed to the upper side like many (most?) other Ruscus. We don't have any pics of that species in the database. I didn't see a clear picture in the NGA database that showed it could occur on the underside in some Ruscus. Perhaps katmandoo8 could add the second picture in the original post to the NGA database but I guess it would have to be generic unless we can figure out the species because I think there's more than R. colchicus that has flowers on the underside?

TY. I saw links to all kinds of places in this discussion, not downing anybody, just an enthusiastic advocate of the DB here.

You're correct, on the one plant I have available to observe/photograph, I've only seen flowers/fruits on the top of the leaves. I'm not experienced in sorting R. species but seem to remember a Ruscus ID discussion where the conclusion was that the flowers/berries can occur on either side of the leaf in R. hypoglossum. My input in that discussion was that the ID wasn't correct because the pic showed fruiting on the leaf bottom, and was given that info. I didn't try to qualify the info, and won't here, or guarantee that this has been remembered correctly. Those with more experience with this plant or interest in investigating in print should be able to help enlighten. I'm curious too. ;)