31. Above the base are upturned leafless sticks which the triffid drums against its stem. 32. Mature plants are usually leafless , with stipules fusing into scales to replace leaves. 33. The upper stems are generally leafless and hold cyme inflorescences of bright blue flowers. 34. The stems are covered with many leafless side-branches that may fall off. 35. Some plants have only scale-like leaves and appear leafless at first glance. 36. Trees will be leafless by Labor Day. 37. Cormorants dry their stubby wings in the sun while hawks sit motionless on leafless branches. 38. The berries, shunned by birds, remain on leafless branches throughout much of winter. 39. Trees bursting with fall colors are interspersed between evergreens and leafless , stark gray trees. 40. It grows to 30 60 cm tall, and is leafless most of the year.
