Types of leaves
Introduction:
- Leaves are the laterally flattened green structures arising from the nodes.
- The leaf mainly comprises three parts: Leaf blade or lamina, petiole and leaf base.
- The leaf can be entire or incised.
- On the basis of the extent of incisions on the lamina, leaves can be of two types: Simple leaf & Compound leaf.
Detailed Explanation:
1. Simple Leaf:
- The leaf which has either an entire lamina or if the lamina is incised, the incisions do not touch the midrib or petiole breaking it into a number of leaflets is called a simple leaf.
- Example: Peepal, mango.

2. Compound Leaf:
- The leaf in which the incisions touch the midrib or petiole such that it breaks the leaf into a number of leaflets is called a compound leaf.
- Compound leaf can further be divided into two types:
A. Pinnately compound leaf:
- In a pinnately compound leaf a number of leaflets are arranged in an alternate or opposite fashion on the midrib (rachis).
- Example: Neem

B. Palmately compound leaf:
- In the palmately compound leaf, the leaflets are attached to the tip of the petiole.
- It gives the appearance of fingers attached to the palm.
- Example: Silk cotton.
