LEAF MORPHOLOGY

Plants are an essential part of the ecosystem. Among the different parts
of a plant, the leaf is the most essential.
Primarily, leaves have two functions: photosynthesis and transpiration.
In some plants, it takes up the responsibility of reproduction also.

Structure of a Leaf
Leaves are thin, flat organs responsible for photosynthesis in the plants.
It develops laterally at the node.

Parts of a Leaf
Generally, leaf base, petiole, and lamina, together form the main parts
of a  leaf.

 Leaf Base: This is the part where a leaf attaches to the stem.

Leaf morphological features for description include leaf shape, tip and
Leaf base has two small leaf-like structure called stipules. In
base features, and margins (edges). Leaf surface characteristics vary,
plants like paddy, wheat, and other monocotyledons, this leaf
and some may be smooth (glabrous) or with hairs (hirsute or
base is wide and masks the stem.
pubescent), wrinkles (rugose), pustules (verrucose) or other
 Petiole: Petiole is the long, thin, stalk that links the leaf blade to interruptions of the surface.
the stem.
 Lamina: Also known as leaf blade. It is the green, flat surface
of the leaves. It consists of a small, branched vein and veinlets.
The vein that runs along the middle of the lamina is called
midrib. Midrib divides the surface of the lamina into two. These
veins and veinlets give rigidity to the leaf blade and help in the
transportation of water and other substances.
Venation
Defined as the arrangement of veins and the veinlets in the leaves.
Different plants show different types of venation. Generally, there are
two types of venation:

 Reticulate venation: In a reticulate venation, the veinlets are

randomly arranged and form a complex network of veinlets. Ex:
Dicotyledonous plants like a rose plant.

Types of Leaves
There are two broad categories of leaves – simple and compound,
which are further classified into different groups based on their shape,
size, their arrangements on the stem,  leaves of flowering and non-
flowering plants, and various other physical attributes.

Simple Leaf
When a single lamina is connected to the main stem by a petiole, the
leaf is said to be simple. It may be incised to any depth but not down to
the midrib or petiole. E.g., Guava leaves

 Parallel venation: In a parallel venation, the veinlets run

parallel to each other. Ex: In monocotyledons like paddy.
Compound Leaf Palmately Compound Leaf
A compound leaf is a leaf made up of two or more leaflets. The midrib The leaflets are attached at the tip of the petiole. E.g., Silk cotton. These
of the leaf is branched into different leaflets and is connected by a can be differentiated into:
single petiole. For e.g., Pea, palm leaves.
1. Unifoliate: These types of leaves have only one leaflet. E.g.,
The compound leaves are further sub-divided into the following types
Citrus
of leaves:
2. Bifoliate: These leaves have two leaflets. E.g., Balanites
3. Trifoliate: These leaves have three leaflets emerging from the
same point. E.g., Oxalis
4. Quadrifoliate: These leaves have four leaflets arising from the
same point. E.g., Marsilea
5. Multifoliate: This type of leaf has many leaflets arising at a
common pint. E.g., Bombax
Pinnately Compound Leaf
The midrib of the leaf is divided into numerous leaflets, and all
connected by a common axis. E.g., Neem. These can be differentiated
into:

1. Pinnate: A compound leaf that has an axis on each side of the

midrib is known as a pinnate leaf. Phyllotaxy
2. Unipinnate: The leaf with leaflets on each side of the axis. E.g.,
cassia The patterns of arrangement of leaves on the stem are called Phyllotaxy.
3. Bipinnate: Here, a secondary axis bearing the leaflet is Plants show three types of phyllotaxy- alternate, opposite, and whorled
produced by the central axis. E.g., Acacia types of phyllotaxy.
4. Tripinnate: Here, a tertiary axis bearing leaflets emerges from
the secondary axis. E.g., Moringa  When only a single leaf develops at each node alternatively, it is
5. Decompound: Leaf with more than three pinnate. E.g., old an alternate type of phyllotaxy.E.g. China rose
leaves of coriander
6. Parapinnate: A leaf without a terminal leaflet. E.g., Cassia  When a pair of leaves develops at each node opposite to each
7. Imparipinnate: Leaf with an odd terminal leaflet. E.g., Pea other, it is called opposite phyllotaxy.E.g. Guava plants.

 When more than two leaves develop at the nodes to form a

whorl of leaves, it is called whorled phyllotaxy. E.g., Alstonia
 Leaf Spines
A few plants have their leaves modified into needle-like structures
known as spines. The spines act as defensive structures. They also
Modification Of Leaves reduce water loss due to transpiration. For eg., in Opuntia, the leaves
are modified into spines.
Leaves have significant roles to play, such as support, storage of food,
defense, etc. For each of these functions, they have been modified into
different forms.

Storage Leaves
The xerophytic plants and plants belonging to the Crassulaceae family
have thick and succulent leaves that store water in their tissues. The
parenchymatous cells of these leaves have large vacuoles filled with
hydrophilic colloid. This modification helps the plant to resist
Scale Leaves
desiccation.
These are thin, membranous structures, without stalks, brownish or
Leaf Tendrils colorless in appearance. They protect the auxiliary bud present in their
axil.
Leaf tendrils exist in plants with weak stems. The leaves get modified
into thread-like structures called tendrils. These tendrils climb a nearby
stick or wall and provide support to the plant. For eg., In Lathyrus
aphaca, the whole leaf is modified into tendrils.
Leaflet Hooks  Leaf Pitcher- In a few plants like Nepenthes, the leaf-lamina is
modified into a pitcher-like structure. The insect is digested into
In some plants, the terminal leaflets of leaf get modified into hook-like the inner walls of the pitcher which secretes a digestive fluid
structures that help them in climbing. Eg., Bignonia unguiscati. into the pitcher cavity.
 Leaf Bladder- In such plants, the segments of the leaves are
modified into bladders. These plants are found in water. The
inner wall is provided with digestive glands which helps in
digesting the trapped insect. For eg., Utricularia
 In Drosera– The lamina possesses numerous hair with a sticky
globule at its tip containing digestive enzymes. The moment an
insect sits on the lamina, the hair covers the insect completely.

Functions of Leaves
Leaf Roots
Photosynthesis
In a few plants, one of the leaves present at the nodes gets modified into
adventitious roots which helps them to float over the water surface. Eg., Photosynthesis is the primary function of leaves. They convert carbon
Salvinia dioxide, water, and UV light into glucose through the process of
photosynthesis.
Phyllode
Transpiration
In some plants, the petiole becomes flattened, taking the shape of a leaf
and turns green in colour. This is known as phyllode. For eg., Transpiration is the removal of excess water from the plants into the
Australian Acacia. atmosphere. This occurs by the opening of stomata present in the
leaves.
Insectivorous Leaves
Guttation
Few plants require nitrogen for their development. In such plants, the
leaves are modified to catch and digest insects. Few of the Removal of excess water from the xylem at the edges of the leaves
modifications are mentioned below: when the stomata are closed is known as guttation.
Storage
Leaves are a site of photosynthesis. Therefore, they store water and
nutrients.

Defence
Some leaves are modified into spines to protect them from being
damaged or eaten by animals.