LEAVES

Leaf
large, flat, green extended part of the
stem
for photosynthesis and transpiration

Parts
Lamina/leaf blade, midrib, stipules or
ligules-hair-like
Petiole or leaf sheath, veins, leaf scar,
small leaf-like

II.As to stalk
1.Petiolate-with
2.Sessile-without stalk
III. Variable features of leaves
Shape-outline, size
Apex, margin, base, texture
IV. Venation of leaves-vein/vascular tissue arrangement
1.Reticulate/netted-dicots
Pinnately netted-1 veins arise from the midrib & subdivide
Palmately netted-1 veins from the base/petiole tip
Radiately netted-1 veins from the tip of petiole at center of lamina
2.Parallel venation-monocots
Basal parallel- veins to the midrib
Radial parallel- veins form acute angle to the midrib
Costal parallel- veins form right angle to the midrib
Abscission zone-base of petiole perpendicular to it
Protection zone-form after leaf fall

Internal Structure of the Leaf

III. Cross Section of the Midrib

Tissues:
Epidermis < Upper FOR PROTECTION
Lower
Collenchyma < Upper
Lower
Parenchyma < Outer
Inner

FOR PROTECTION

FOR STORAGE

Sclerenchyma - outer to vascular bundle FOR SUPPORT

Phloem outer, smaller living cells conduction of sugars
Xylem in rows inner conduction of water & minerals

Other Leaf Types

1. Succulent leaf-thick & fleshy for water conservation,
leaves are cylindric, spherical, mesophyll cells few air
spaces.

2.Sclerophyllous leaves-some leaves are soft, flexible &

edible no sclerenchyma; in some sclerenchymatous (hard)
and leaves are sclerophylls (thick cuticle, epidermis,
sclerenchyma below epidermis & bundle sheaths)
3.Coniferous leaves- sclerophyllous-thick cuticle, with
hypodermis thick-walled, needle-shaped or scale-like
leaves, large broad scale-like, in evergreensgymnosperms.

Specialized Leaves

Leaves with Kranz Anatomy-C4 photosynthesis-no

palisade and spongy chlorenchyma but have
prominent bundle sheaths of chlorophyllous cells
with a ring of mesophyll cells, important in CO2
transport and adapted to sun-loving plants