The Leaf

THE LEAF
STRUCTURE OF THE LEAF
Node: The point on the stem from which a leaf or branch arises.
Axil: The angle between the stalk of the leaf and stem.
Axillary bud: Bud present in the axil of a leaf.
Internode: Space between two nodes.
PARTS OF THE LEAF
Lamina/Leaf blade: The flat, thin part of the leaf.
Margin of the leaf: The outline of the leaf blade.
Leaf apex: The tip of the leaf blade.
Petiole /leaf stalk: The part which connects the lamina to the stem.
Epetiolate/sessile: Leaf without a stalk.
Midrib: The thick vein along the centre of the leaf lamina.
Veins and veinlets: Lateral branches (side) that arise from the midrib.
Leaf base: The end of the petiole which is attached to the stem and is slightly swollen is
called the leaf base.
1
TYPES OF LEAVES ( Draw the diagram on the plain side and write the differences on
the ruled side)
Leaves are of two types.
a. Simple leaf b. Compound leaf
SIMPLE LEAF COMPOUND LEAF

1. Has a single leaf blade 1. Leaf blade is divided into distinct parts
2. Has an axillary bud at its called leaflets
axil. 2. Leaflets does not have an axillary bud,
E.g. peepal, guava, mango etc. bud is present at the axil of the
compound leaf
E.g. neem, rose, Gul mohar, acacia etc.
VENATION (Draw Diagrams on the plain side and notes on the ruled side)
The arrangement of veins and veinlets in a leaf.
The two types of venations are:
RETICULATE VENATION PARALLEL VENATION

1. The veins and veinlets form a network 1. The veins run parallel to each other.
2. It is found in dicot plants 2. It is found in monocot plants.
E.g. peepal, mango, E.g. banana, grass, wheat
hibiscus
2
PHYLLOTAXY
It is the mode of arrangement of leaves on the stem. The different arrangement of leaves
allows the leaves to have maximum exposure to sunlight.
Phyllotaxy is of three types.

A. Alternate phyllotaxy
In this one leaf arises from the node and is attached in a spiral manner.
E.g. sunflower, mango, china rose etc.
B. Opposite phyllotaxy
In this a pair of leaves arise from each node and are opposite to each other.
E.g. jasmine, guava, calotropis, basil etc.
C. Whorled phyllotaxy
A set of 3 or more leaves grow from the same node and form a whorl or circle at the node.
E.g. aloe vera, oleander, devil tree etc.
3
FUNCTIONS OF THE LEAF
1. Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants prepare their own food using carbon dioxide and water in
the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll to produce glucose and oxygen.
2. Transpiration
Excess water taken up by plants is released in the form of
water vapour through stomata (tiny openings under the surface of leaves) This keeps the
plant cool.
3. Gaseous exchange
During photosynthesis carbon dioxide enters the stomata and oxygen is released.
During respiration oxygen enters the stomata and carbon dioxide is released.
MODIFICATION OF LEAVES
1. Leaf tendril
The leaf gets modified to form a thread like structure called a leaf tendril to give support
to the plant. Eg. Pea plant, Melons, Grapes
2. Leaf spines
The leaf gets modified to form pointed structures called spines. It reduces water loss by
transpiration and protects the plant from grazing animals. Eg. Cactus (Opuntia), Mexican
poppy
3. Scale leaves
The leaves are modified to form scale leaves. In ginger, scale leaves are thin and
dry to protect the bud. In onion, scale leaves are thick and fleshy and stores food and
water.
E.g. ginger, onion, garlic
4
MODIFICATION OF LEAVES IN INSECTIVOROUS PLANTS
Plants which live in nutrient deficit soil feed on insect and other organisms to get nutrients
and also undergo photosynthesis. They are called insectivorous or carnivorous plants.
Examples of insectivorous plants

1. Pitcher plant
• Lamina – forms the pitcher where the insects are trapped and digested.
• Leaf apex –forms the lid which acts as the trap door.
• Petiole – forms the coiled part below the pitcher
2. Bladderwort
The leaves are highly segmented. Some segments form bladder like structures which trap
and digest insects.
3. Venus flytrap
The leaf blade is divided into two and the midrib acts as a hinge. The leaf margin has long
pointed hair which traps the insect. There are between three and six trigger hairs on the
surface of each leaf blade. If the same hair is touched twice or if two hairs are touched within
a 20-second interval, the trap snaps shut instantly, and the insect gets digested.
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION BY LEAVES
Some plants use their vegetative parts like stem, root, leaves to grow new plants and this is
called vegetative reproduction /propagation. E.g. In Bryophyllum and Begonia, buds called
adventitious buds (buds growing in unusual places like roots, leaves) found in the margin of
the leaves develop into plantlets under favourable conditions. These plantlets grow into
independent plants.
Advantages of vegetative reproduction

1. It is a faster and more certain method of reproduction.
2. It is easier and less expensive.
3. Plants that cannot produce seeds can be easily grown by this method.
4. New plants have exactly identical qualities of their parents.

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The Leaf

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THE LEAF

STRUCTURE OF THE LEAF

SIMPLE LEAF COMPOUND LEAF

RETICULATE VENATION PARALLEL VENATION

Phyllotaxy is of three types.

Examples of insectivorous plants

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION BY LEAVES

Advantages of vegetative reproduction

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