=Kinds.=—Leaves are =simple= or unbranched (Figs. 88, 89), and
=compound= or branched (Fig. 90). The method of compounding or
branching follows the mode of veining. The veining, or =venation=,
is of two general kinds. In some plants the main veins diverge, and
there is a conspicuous network of smaller veins; such leaves are
=netted-veined=. They are characteristic of the dicotyledons. In
other plants the main veins are parallel, or nearly so, and there is
no conspicuous network; these are =parallel-veined= leaves (Figs.
89, 102). These leaves are the rule in monocotyledonous plants.
The venation of netted-veined leaves is =pinnate= or feather-like
when the veins arise from the side of a continuous midrib (Fig.
91); =palmate= or =digitate= (hand-like) when the veins arise from
the apex of the petiole (Figs. 88, 92). If leaves were divided
between the main veins, the former would be pinnately and the latter
digitately compound.
[Illustration: FIG. 91.—COMPLETE LEAVES OF WILLLOW.]
[Illustration: FIG. 92.—DIGITATE-VEINED PELTATE LEAF OF NASTURTIUM.]
[Illustration: FIG. 93.—PINNATELY COMPOUND LEAF OF ASH.]
It is customary to speak of a leaf as compound only when the parts or
branches are completely separate blades, as when the division extends
to the midrib (Figs. 90, 93, 94, 95). The parts or branches are known
as =leaflets=. Sometimes the leaflets themselves are compound, and
the whole leaf is then said to be =bi-compound= or =twice-compound=
(Fig. 90). Some leaves are three-compound, four-compound, or
five-compound. =Decompound= is a general term to express any degree
of compounding beyond twice-compound.
[Illustration: FIG. 94.—DIGITATELY COMPOUND LEAF OF RASPBERRY.]
[Illustration: FIG. 95.—POISON IVY. LEAF AND FRUIT.]
Leaves that are not divided as far as to the midrib are said to be:
[Illustration: FIG. 96.—LOBED LEAF OF SUGAR MAPLE.]
=lobed=, if the openings or sinuses are not more than half the depth
of the blade (Fig. 96);
=cleft=, if the sinuses are deeper than the middle;
[Illustration: FIG. 97.—DIGITATELY PARTED LEAVES OF BEGONIA.]
=parted=, if the sinuses reach two thirds or more to the midrib (Fig.
97);
=divided=, if the sinuses reach nearly or quite to the midrib.
The parts are called =lobes=, =divisions=, or =segments=, rather than
leaflets. The leaf may be pinnately or digitately lobed, parted,
cleft, or divided. A pinnately parted or cleft leaf is sometimes said
to be =pinnatifid=.
Leaves may have one or all of three parts—=blade=, or expanded
part; =petiole=, or stalk; =stipules=, or appendages at the base
of the petiole. A leaf that has all three of these parts is said
to be =complete= (Figs. 91, 106). The stipules are often green and
leaf-like and perform the function of foliage as in the pea and the
Japanese quince (the latter common in yards).
[Illustration: FIG. 98.—OBLONG-OVATE SESSILE LEAVES OF TEA.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account