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LEAF TYPES

SIMPLE LEAF - blade of the leaf occurs as one unit (i.e. is not divided into leaflets; however,                                the blade may be highly lobed or indented).

Types of simple leaves based on venation (arrangement of veins) pinnate venation feather-like, net venation with lateral veins extending from a central midrib (dicots - ex. elm, oak) palmate venation finger-like, net venation with several major veins diverging from the union of the petiole and the leaf blade (dicots - ex. maple) parallel venation principal veins parallel to the axis of the leaf (monocots - ex. grasses).

COMPOUND LEAF - the blade of the leaf is divided into individual leaflets.

Types of compound leaves based on arrangement of leaflets pinnately compound leaflets arising from along both sides of the rachis (ex. rose, pecan). palmately compound leaflets all arising from the same location at the top of the petiole (ex. buckeye, schefflera, poison ivy, bean).