Leaflet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2009) |
For the publishing use of the term "leaflet", see Flyer (pamphlet) and Folded leaflet.
 |
Look up leaflet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
A leaflet in botany is a leaf-like part of a compound leaf. Though it resembles an entire leaf, a leaflet is not borne on a main plant stem or branch, as a leaf is, but rather on a petiole or a branch of the leaf. Compound leaves are common in many plant families and they differ widely in morphology. The two main classes of compound leaf morphology are palmate and pinnate. For example, a hemp plant has palmate compound leaves, whereas some species of Acacia have pinnate leaves.
-
The entire leaf of a Bay Laurel
-
Pinnate leaf of an Acacia with 8 leaflets
-
Mimosa pudica folding leaflets inward.
