10 Difference Between Simple And Compound Leaf (With Examples & Pictures)

Structure of Leaf

Each leaf typically has a leaf blade called the lamina, which is also the widest part of the leaf. Some leaves are attached to the plant stem by a petiole. Leaves that do not have a petiole and are directly attached to the plant stem are called sessile leaves. Leaves also have stipules, small green appendages usually found at the base of the petiole. Most leaves have a midrib, which travels the length of the leaf and branches to each side to produce veins of vascular tissue. The edge of the leaf is called the margin.

Within each leaf, the vascular tissue forms veins. The arrangement of veins in a leaf is called the venation pattern. Monocots and dicots differ in their patterns of venation. Monocots have parallel venation in which the veins run in straight lines across the length of the leaf without converging. In dicots, however, the veins of the leaf have a net-like appearance, forming a pattern known as reticulate venation. Ginkgo biloba is an example of a plant with dichotomous venation.

The arrangement of leaves on a stem is known as phyllotaxy. The number and placement of a plant’s leaves will vary depending on the species, with each species exhibiting a characteristic leaf arrangement. Leaves are classified as either alternate, spiral, opposite, or whorled. Plants that have only one leaf per node have leaves that are said to be either alternate or spiral. Alternate leaves alternate on each side of the stem in a flat plane, and spiral leaves are arranged in a spiral along the stem. In an opposite leaf arrangement, two leaves arise at the same point, with the leaves connecting opposite each other along the branch. If there are three or more leaves connected at a node, the leaf arrangement is classified as whorled.

There are two basic forms of leaves that can be described considering the way the blade (or lamina) is divided. Leaves may be simple or compound.

What Is Simple Leaf?

A simple leaf has a single blade that is completely undivided. A simple leaf may have incisions but these incisions are not deep enough to divide the blade into leaflets. These leaves attach to a twig by the petiole or stem. The margins or edges of the simple leaf can be smooth, jagged, lobed or parted. Lobed leaves will have gaps between lobes but will never reach the midrib.

Examples Of Plants With Simple Leaf:

• Pear
• Maple
• Hibiscus
• Mango
• Guava
• Oregano
• Black oak
• Banana etc

Facts About Simple Leaf

• In simple leaf, the blade is completely undivided.
• An axillary bud is present in the axil of a simple leaf.
• The base of the leaf may have stipules.
• The simple leaves may be borne in one or more planes.
• A simple leaf blade is present without any further division to leaflets.
• In simple leaves, there is no division in lamina.
• The incision of the leaf blade does not reach the midrib or the petiole attached directly to the stem.
• Generally, simple leaves have a broader lamina/blade when compared to compound leaves.
• Simple leaves have no further classification or types.
• Examples of plants with simple leave include: Oak, Black cherry, Banana, Mango, Sweat gum, Maple, Black gum etc.
• The margins or edges of a simple leaf can be smooth, jagged, lobed or parted.

Also Read: Difference Between Pumpkin And Squash

What Is A Compound Leaf?

The blades of a compound leaf are divided into distinct parts referred to as leaflets which may either rise at the tip of petiole or on the sides of a rachis. Also, sometimes the leaflets can be compound. Compound leaves are a characteristic of some families of higher plants. Each leaflet is attached to the rachis (middle vein), but may have its own stalk.

Examples Of Plants With Compound Leaves:

• Neem
• Rose
• Desert cotton
• Coriander
• Moringa
• Horse chestnut
• Buckeye
• Baobab
• Poison Ivy etc.

Types Of Compound Leaves

1. Palmately compound leaves: This type of leaf has its leaflets radiating outwards from the end of the petiole, like fingers off the palm of a hand. Examples of plants with palmately compound leaves include poison ivy, the buckeye tree, or the familiar house plant Schefflera sp. (commonly called “umbrella plant”).
2. Pinnately compound leaves: This type of leaves take their name from their feather-like appearance; the leaflets are arranged along the middle vein, as in rose leaves or the leaves of hickory, pecan, ash, or walnut trees.
3. Bipinnately compound leaves: Bipinnately compound (or double compound) leaves are twice divided; the leaflets are arranged along a secondary vein, which is one of several veins branching off the middle vein. Each leaflet is called a “pinnule”. The pinnules on one secondary vein are called “pinna”. The silk tree (Albizia) is an example of a plant with bipinnate leaves.

Facts About Compound Leaf

• The blades of a compound leaf are divided into distinct parts referred to as leaflets.
• A bud lies in the axil of the whole leaf but the individual leaflets do not bear axillary buds.
• The stipules may occur at the base of the whole leaf but corresponding structures are absent at the base of the leaflets (exception-beans).
• Leaflets of a compound leaf are always borne in one plane.
• Leaves divided into separated and distinguishable two or more blades.
• In compound leaves, there is division in the lamina.
• The incision of the leaf blade reaches the mid rib, thereby dividing the leaf into a number of segments.
• Generally, compound leaves have a relatively smaller lamina/blade when compared to the simple leaves.
• Compound leaf can be further divided into the following types: Palmately, Pinnately, Bipinnately etc.
• Examples of plants with compound leaves include: Shame plant, Rose, Clover, Baobab, Neem, Buckeye, Desert cotton, Horse chesnut, Poison ivy etc.

Also Read: Difference Between Monocot And Dicot Leaf

Difference Between Simple And Compound Leaf In Tabular Form

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