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.