Leaf Shapes and Types Quiz

Study Notes

Simple Leaves (Entire or Unlobed): The leaf blade is undivided. Examples include corn, wheat, Duranta, and Ficus plants.
Lobed Leaves: The blade is divided into sections connected by tissue.
- Pinnately Lobed: Divisions extend from the midrib. Examples include oak and papaya plants.
- Palmately Lobed: Divisions radiate from a single point. Examples include grape, fig, castor bean, Luffa, and hibiscus plants.

Palmately Compound Leaves: Leaflets radiate from a central point at the end of the petiole. Leaflets are directly attached to the petiole. Examples include Aralia and Lupinus plants.
Pinnately Compound Leaves: Leaflets arise along the main axis.
- Odd or Imparipinnate: The main axis ends with a single leaflet. Example: Rosa plant.
- Even Pinnate or Paripinnate: The main axis ends with a pair of leaflets. Example: Cassia acutifolia.
- Bipinnately Compound: Leaflets are further divided into pinnules. Pinnules are carried on second-class axles. Example: Poinciana plant.
- Tripinnately Compound: Leaflets are divided multiple times. Pinnules are carried on third-class axles. Example: Certain ferns.
- Trifoliate Compound: The compound leaf has only three leaflets. Example: Trifolium (Clover).

Venation: The arrangement of veins in a leaf blade; responsible for water/nutrient transport and sugar transport.
- Reticulate Venation: Veins form a network of interconnected branches.
  - Reticulate Pinnate: A prominent midrib with smaller side veins branching off. Example: Ficus and rose leaves.
  - Reticulate Palmate: Several main veins radiate from a central point. Examples: Grape and castor leaves.
- Parallel Venation: Veins run parallel to each other along the leaf's length. Common in monocots and some dicots.
  - Parallel Basal: Multiple main veins run parallel from the base to the tip of the leaf, often parallel to the midrib. Example: Wheat, corn, and barley leaves.
  - Parallel Costal: A single midrib with smaller veins that branch off at right angles parallel to each other. Example: Banana leaves.

Protective: Reduced transpiration and protection against herbivores.
- Spiny Leaves: Reduce water loss and deter herbivores. Examples include asparagus, prickly pear, cactus, and some citrus plants.
Climbing: Enhance climbing structures.
- Tendril Leaves: Aid in attaching to structures for climbing. Examples include pea, bean, and other plants.
Storage: Storing water or food.
- Storage Leaves: Store water or food. Examples include succulent plants and bulbs.
Reproductive: Specialized for sexual reproduction.
- Flowering Leaves: Specialized for sexual reproduction; bear reproductive structures like stamens and pistils.
- Vegetative Reproductive Leaves: Produce adventitious buds for asexual reproduction. Example: Kalanchoe pinnata.
Secretory: Secrete nectar to attract pollinators. Example: Delphinium plant.
Insectivorous: Trap and digest insects to obtain nitrogen. Examples include Drosera, Dionaea, and pitcher plants.