What is leaf? We all know those green fluttering things nicely arranged around the branches, we call them leaf. They make plant look fuller, bulkier and alive and so it wont be wrong to call them Soul of every plant, if the plants do not have leaf we generally call them dead plant, even if they are technically alive, isn’t it ?
Lets look at what science says: A flattened structure of a higher plant, typically green and blade-like, that is attached to a stem directly or via a stalk.Â
Leaves are the one the most attractive part of plant, often green in colour, flattened blade shaped structure on plan. Leaves are found in different size colour and shapes. Leaves are attached to stem by leaf base, you will sometimes notice two mini leaves at the base these are called stipule. Stipule’s purpose is to protect leaves when they are young and small.
Parts of Leaves
A leaf consists of three parts- Leaf base, Petiole, Lamina. The middle prominent vein is termed as the mid vein. Veins provide rigidity to the leaf blade and act as a channel for the transport of water and minerals.
The arrangement of vein and veinlets in the lamina is known as venation. There are two types of venation:
Function of Leaves
Leaves manage two important function in plants breathing (respiration) and making food (photosynthesis) for plant growth.
Types of Leaves
ADAPTATIONS OF LEAVES :Â Leaves are modified to perform other functions like being converted to tendril for climbing as in Peas and spines for defence in Cactus.
Tendril in Peas
Spine Defence in Cactus
