Leaf,Leaf base,Pulvinus,Sheathing,Stipules,Petiole,Leaf blade or lamina,Hyacinth Petiole,Orange, Pummelo,Clematis,Gossypium, Rose, Smilax, Indian plum

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Morphology of Flowering Plants Morphology of Plants Characteristics of Root Root System Modifications of Root Systems Adventitious Root Roots Modified for Additional Support Roots Modified for Vital Functions Characteristics of Stem Kinds of Bud Modifications of Bud Types of Stems Aerial Modifications of Stem Plant Leafs Shapes of Lamina Leaves Venation Leaves Phyllotaxy Simple and Compound Leaves Functions of Leaves Importance of Studying Leaf Morphology

Home >> Biology >> Morphology and Anatomy of Flowering Plants >> Plant Leafs

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Leaf
Leaf is thin, flattened, green outgrowth of stem. It is the chief photosynthetic organ of plant. The main parts of leaf are-Leaf base, Petiole, Lamina.

Leaf
A. Leaf Apex
B. Leaf Margin
C. Mid Rib
E. Axiliry Bud
F. Stipule
G. Petiole
H. Leaf Base

1. Leaf base. It attaches the leaf with the stem. It has the following forms
(a) Pulvinus. In some plants (e.g. Tamarindus and Mimosa pudica) leaf has a swollen base called pulvinus.
(b) Sheathing. In some plants specially monocots leaf base becomes broad and flat, covering a part of the node of stem. e.g. Maize, Banana, Sugarcane.

Free lateral	Scaly
Adnate	Interpretiolar
Ochreate	Foliaceous

Spinous
Spinous

Tendrilar

Convolute

(c) Stipules. In several plants the leaf base bears two lateral appendages called stipules e.g. Gossypium, Rose, Smilax, Indian plum etc.

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2. Petiole. It is the stalk of leaf and exposes the lamina to provide maximum exposure. The leaf with petiole is called petiole, while that without petiole as sessile. In water hyacinth petiole swells into a spongy bulb having a number of air chambers to facilitate floating. In Orange, Pummelo it is winged. In Acacia, petiole is modified into a flattened blade called phyllode. Petiole becomes tendrillar in Clematis.

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Left Petiolar Tendrils of Garden Nasturtium

Right Leaf-Tip Tendril of Gloriosa

Leafleft Stalk Tendrils of Clematics

Phyllode of Australian Acacia

Obtuse	Actue
Acuminate	Cuspidate
Aristate	Retuse
Emarginate	Mucronate
Cirrhose	Apiculate

3. Leaf blade or lamina. It is green expanded portion of leaf and interspersed with number of veins and veinlets. The middle vein is called midrib. The veins provide rigidity to lamina, acting as channels for transport of food.

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Anatomy of Flowering Plants Tissue and Meristematic Tissue Classification of Meristematic Tissue Apical Meristems of Stem and Root Permanent Tissue Simple Permanent Tissue Complex Tissues - Xylem Types of Xylum Complex Tissues - Phloem Classification of Permanent Tissue on Basis of Their Functions Types of Vascular Bundles Anatomy of Monocot Stem - Maize, Primary Structure of Stem Anatomy of Dicotyledonous Stem - Sunflower Stem Secondary Growth in Dicot System Origin and Activity of Cambium Origin and Activity of Cork Cambium Heart Wood and Sap Wood Primary Structure of Monocot Root Primary Structure of Dicot Root Secondary Growth in Dicot Roots Origin and Activity of Vascular Cambium Origin and Activity of Cork Cambiums Internal Structure of Dicot Leaf Internal Structure of Xerophytic Leaf Internal Structure of Monocot Leaf - Isobilateral Leaf