Simple versus Compound Leaves

Having a bud in the axil is an important part of the definition of a leaf. Leaves are either simple or compound: a simple leaf consists of one unit, and a compound leaf is composed of separate leaflets. There are no buds in the axils of leaflets but found only at the base of a leaf. This feature can be used to distinguish a leaf from a leaflet.

Figure 34-1 (a) Leaves petiolate. (b) Leaves sessile.

Figure 34-2 Two compound leaves: (a) palmately compound and (b) pinnately compound.