Types of Leaves
On our planet, there is a great variety of plants and these have many types of leaves. However, the basic function of leaves is the same in all plants: they are involved in photosynthesis, gas exchange and transpiration. Why are leaves so diverse? This is because plants adapt to their environment (water, light, heat, air and soil).
The shape of leaves
Despite having the same function, leaves can have different shapes. They can be needle-shaped (Pine family), oval (some Magnolia species), heart-shaped
(morning glory), elliptic (camphor tree), etc.
Leaf arrangement
The location and arrangement of the leaves on the stem is an important characteristic
of different plant species.
Mint
The leaves are arranged as opposite pairs along the stem, with the pairs tending to alternate at 90 degrees to one another.
Oleander
Its leaves are arranged in whorls of three, that is, three leaves come out of each leaf node.
Greater plantain
It is characterised by a rosette, that is, a circular arrangement of leaves
that grow from the base of the stem.
Rice
The leaves grow on the stem
in two ranks, one leaf per node.
Ginkgo
The long shoots bear scattered leaves, while on the short shoots the leaves form clusters of three or five.
Norway maple
Pine trees
Camphor laurel
Common morning glory
Gingko biloba
Magnolia
Polygonum perfoliatum
Sacred lotus
Simple and compound leaves
Simple leaves are attached to the stem by petioles. In compound leaves the leaf blade is divided into several leaflets.
Simple leaf
Compound leaf
compound leaf (horse chestnut)
The Anatomy and Development of Plants
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The Anatomy and Development of Plants
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