Colorado Master Gardenersm Program Colorado Gardener Certificate Training

Colorado State University Extension

CMG GardenNotes #134

Plant Structures: Leaves

Outline: Function, page 1 Structure, page 2 Internal features, page 2 External features, page 3 Leaf arrangement on stem, page 3 Leaflet arrangement on petiole, page 3 Overall leaf shape, page 4 Shape of leaf apex and base, page 5 Leaf margin, page 5 Leaf types (leaf venation), page 6 Modified leaves, page 7

Thought questions: (Explain the science behind the questions.) o Last spring my tulips were magnificent. As blooms faded, I removed the blossoms and foliage so it wouldnt detract from other spring flowers coming into bloom. This year, most of the tulips didnt come back. Why?

Leaves are the principle structure, produced on stems, where photosynthesis takes place. Cacti are an exception. The leaves are reduced to spines, and the thick green, fleshy stems are where photosynthesis takes place.

Functions
To compete for light for photosynthesis, i.e., the manufacture of sugars Evapotranspiration from the leaves is what moves water and nutrients up from the roots. Small openings on the leaf, known as stomata, regulate moisture and gas exchange (water and carbon dioxide) and temperature (cooling effect as water vapor escapes through stomata). Horticultural uses o o o o o Aesthetic qualities Feed and food Mulch and compost Plant identification Propagation from cuttings
134-1

o o o

Summer cooling (Evaporative cooling accounts for 70-80% of the shading impact of a tree.) Wildlife habitat Wind, dust and noise reduction

Structure
Internal Features
The leaf blade is composed of several layers as follows: Epidermis Outer layer of tissues Cuticle Waxy protective outer layer of epidermis that prevents water loss on leaves, green stems, and fruits. The amount of cutin or wax increases with light intensity. Leaf hairs Part of the epidermis Palisade layer A tightly packed layer of parenchyma tissues filled with chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Chloroplasts Sub-cellular, photosynthetic structures in leaves and other green tissues. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a green plant pigment that captures the energy in light and begins the transformation of that energy into sugars. Vascular bundle Xylem and phloem tissues, commonly known as leaf veins. Spongy mesophyll Layer of parenchyma tissues loosely arranged to facilitate movement of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. It also may contain some chloroplasts. Stomata Natural openings in leaves and herbaceous stems that allow for gas exchange (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and oxygen). Guard cells Specialized kidney-shaped cells that open and close the stomata.

Figure 1. Leaf Cross Sectional View with Stomata.

134-2

External Features
Leaf blade Flattened part of the leaf Petiole Leaf stalk Stipules Leaf-like appendages at the base of the leaf.

Figure 2. External Features of a Leaf

For plant identification purposes, the shape of the leaf margin, leaf tip and leaf base are key features to note. Remember, a leaf begins at the lateral or auxiliary bud.

Leaf Arrangement on Stems Alternate Arranged in staggered fashion along stem (willow) Opposite Pair of leaves arranged across from each other on stem (maple) Whorled Arranged in a ring (catalpa) Rosette Spiral cluster of leaves arranged at the base (or crown) (dandelion)

Figure 3. Leaf Arrangement on Stem

Leaflet Arrangement on Petiole Simple Leaf blade is one continuous unit (cherry, maple, and elm) Compound Several leaflets arise from the same petiole Pinnately compound Leaflets arranged on both sides of a common rachis (leaf stalk), like a feather (mountain ash) Palmately compound Leaflets radiate from one central point (Ohio buckeye and horse chestnut) Double pinnately compound Double set of compound leaflets

134-3

Figure 3. Leaf Arrangement on Petiole.

Note: Sometimes identifying a "leaf" or "leaflet" can be confusing. Look at the petiole attachment. A leaf petiole attaches to the stem at a bud node. There is no bud node where leaflets attach to the petiole.

Overall Leaf Shape Leaf shape is a primary tool in plant identification. Descriptions often go into minute detail about general leaf shape, and the shape of the leaf apex and base. Figure 5 illustrates common shapes as used in the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants.

Figure 5. Leaf Shapes

Shape of Leaf Apex and Base Shape of the leaf apex (tip) and base is another tool in plant identification. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate common tip and base styles as used in the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants.

134-4

Figure 6. Leaf Tip Shapes

Figure 7. Leaf Base Shapes

Leaf Margin The leaf margin is another tool in plant identification. Figure 8 illustrates common margin types as used in the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants.

Figure 8. Leaf Margins

134-5

Leaf Types / Leaf Venation

Conifer types Scale-like Mature leaves common on most junipers and arborvitae Awl-shaped Juvenile leaves common on some junipers Linear-shaped Narrow flat needles of spruce, fir, and yews Needle-like In pine, the single, bundle, or cluster of needles makes a rounded shape

Figure 9. Conifer leaf types

Ginkgo type Dichotomous venation Somewhat parallel vein sections, forming a 'Y', found in Ginkgo trees. [Figure 10]
Figure 10. Dichotomous veined Ginkgo leaf

Monocot types Parallel venation Veins run in parallel lines. (monocot plants, e.g. grasses, lilies, tulips). [Figure 11]
Figure 11. Parallel veined monocot leaf

Dicot types Net-veined or reticulate-veined Leaves with veins that branch from the main rib and then subdivide into finer veinlets. (dicot plants) [Figure 12] Pinnate venation Veins extend from a midrib to the edge (elm, peach, apple, cherry). Palmate venation Veins radiate fan-shaped from the petiole (maple, grapes).

134-6

Figure 12. Venation of dicot leaves

Modified Leaves
Adhesive disc Modified leaf used for attachment mechanism. Sometimes referred to as a holdfast. (Boston ivy) Bract Specialized, often highly colored leaf below flower that often serves to lure pollinators. (Poinsettia, dogwood) Thorn Modified leaf. (barberry, pyracantha) Tendril Modified sinuous leaf used for climbing or as an attachment mechanism. (Virginia creeper, peas, grapes)

Figure 13. Thorns are modified leaves.

Additional Information CMG GardenNotes on How Plants Grow (Botany):

#121 #122 #131 #132 #133 #134 #135 Horticulture Classification Terms Taxonomic Classification Plant Structures: Cells, Tissues, and Structures Plant Structures: Roots Plant Structures: Stems Plant Structures: Leaves Plant Structures: Flowers #136 #137 #141 #142 #143 #144 #145 Plant Structures: Fruit Plant Structures: Seeds Plant Growth Factors: Photosynthesis, Respiration and Transpiration Plant Growth Factors: Light Plant Growth Factors: Temperature Plant Growth Factors: Water Plant Growth Factors: Hormones

Authors: David Whiting, Consumer Horticulture Specialist, Colorado State University Extension; with Michael Roll and Larry Vickerman (former CSU Extension employees). Line drawings by Scott Johnson.
o o o o o Colorado Master Gardener GardenNotes are available online at [Link]. Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned. Copyright 2003-2011. Colorado State University Extension. All Rights Reserved. CMG GardenNotes may be reproduced, without change or additions, for nonprofit educational use.

Minor revisions, December 2011

134-7