varies depending on the species. Example: Delonix . iii. Tripinnate: When the rachis branches thrice the leaf is called tripinnate.
(i.e) the secondary rachii produce the tertiary rachii which bear the leaflets. Example: Moringa . iv. Decompound: When the rachis of leaf is branched several times it is called decompound.
Example: Daucus carota, Coriandrum sativum. . Palmately compound leaf A palmately compound leaf is defined as one in which the petiole bears terminally, one or more leaflets which seem to be radiating from a common point like fingers from the palm. i.
Unifoliolate: When a single leaflet is articulated to the petiole is said to be unifoliolate. Example: Citrus. (undivided) Example: Mango or incised to any depth but not upto the midrib or petiole. Example: Cucurbita .
II. Compound leaf Compound leaf is one in which the main rachis bears more than one lamina surface, called leaflets. Compound leaves have evolved to increase total lamina surface. There is one axillary bud in the axil of the whole compound leaf.
The leaflets however, do not possess axillary buds. . Pinnately compound leaf A pinnately compound leaf is defined as one in which the rachis, bears laterally a number of leaflets, arranged alternately or in an opposite manner, as in Tamarindus, Cassia. i.
Unipinnate: The rachis is simple and unbranched which bears leaflets directly on its sides in alternate or opposite manner. Example: Rose , Neem . Unipinnate leaves are of two types. a.
when the leaflets are even in number, the leaf is said to be paripinnate . Example: Tamarindus . (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Figure . : Types of pinnately compound leaves (a) Unipinnate (Paripinnate)- Tamarindus (b) Unipinnate (Imparipinnate)- Azadirachta (c) Bipinnate- Caesalpinia (d) Tripinnate- Moringa (e) Decompound- Coriandrum (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Figure .
: Types of palmately compound leaves (a) Unifoliolate - Citrus (b) Bifoliolate – Zornia (c) Trifoliolate – Aegle marmelos (d) Quadrifoliolate – Paris quadrifolia (e) Multifoliolate – Bombax Leaf modifications Spines ( Opuntia ) Hooks ( Bignonia ) Leaf blader ( Utricularia ) Storage leaves ( Aloe ) Pitcher