Leaf Morphology

Question 1

Parts of a grass leaf?

Answer 1

• Grass leaf – some specialist terminology: – sheath

– blade – ligule – auricle

Question 2

What are some major modifications in leaves?

Answer 2

• Major leaf modifications:
• tendrils – climbing support
• phyllodes - acacias
• bracts – ‘false petals’ – poinsettia – spine (leaf)/thorn (stem)/prickle (epidermal)
• protection – bud scales, spines
• water storage – some succulents • food storage – bulbs
• traps – carnivorous plants
• propagation – ‘mother of millions’

Question 3

Tendrils

Answer 3

• Vitistendril:
– extra-axillary lateral
bud, or
– modified inflorescence
inhibited from completing floral development by GAs

Question 4

What are Insectivorous plants?

Answer 4

• Insectivorous plants
• Usually swampy, low fert. ( esp. N) areas • 4 types:
• Pitcher plants
– some leaves normal
– some vase-like, flap above open end
– nectar-secreting glands near open end
– attracts insects
– some fall into tube, liquid at base
– tube walls waxy, downward pointing hairs – insect digested by enzymes

Question 5

Leaf Morphology?

Answer 5

• Leaf morphology
–Leaf arrangement
–Leaf structure • Simple
• Compound
–Simple, Trifoliolate, Palmate, Pinnate, Bipinnate, Tripinnate

Question 6

Leaf Arrangement?

Answer 6

• Leaf arrangment

– alternate – opposite – whorled

Question 7

Leaf dissection?

Answer 7

• Leaf dissection
– simple
– compound
• trifoliolate (not trifoliate!!!) • palmate
• pinnate
• bipinnate
• tripinnate