Аннотация:Let $G$ be a real semisimple Lie group, $K$ its maximal complex subgroup, and $G_C$ its complexification.
It is known that all the $K$-finite matrix elements on $G$ admit holomorphic continuation to branching functions on $G_C$ having singularities at the a prescribed divisor. We propose a geometric explanation of this phenomenon. The note also contsins a general survey of holomorphic continuations of infinite-dimensional representations.