The leaves of a plant are one of its most identifiable features. They are also arguably the most important part of a plant. Plant leaves have evolved into various types, distinctive based on shape, texture and function. By learning more about the different types of plant leaves, you too can get the greenest thumbs. Here is more information on all the different types of leaves with names you can find on plants and trees.
4 different types of leaves with names of plants
Flowering plant leaves
The botanical name of the flowering plant leaves is Angiosperms. It is also the most common type of leaf you can find. Grown on flowering plants, including shrubs and deciduous trees, these leaves can be identified by their shape which is a skeleton of veins with a membrane between them. Also important to note is that these leaves have a large surface area to increase the amount of sunlight and oxygen they can absorb, which makes the leaves very efficient.
However, due to their size and colour, these leaves also become a good feed for animals and attract a lot of bugs and pests. Therefore to improve the health of your plants with Angiosperm leaves, you need to spray them with pesticides regularly. Moreover, with a large number of leaves that can sprout from the stem, it is possible to prune various shapes into these plants.
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see also: All about Palm Plant
Conifer leaves
In contrast to the deciduous type of leaves, the conifer leaves that usually grow on evergreen trees, are far more durable. This is partly because the plants shed old or damaged leaves but in a constant trickle instead of a sudden fall shower. The shape of conifer leaves is generally needle-like. However, some exceptions can be found. These leaves are not just spikey, they are also long and slender. While some conifer leaves are soft, others grow in dense bunches that create a sort of barrier which protects the tree from small animals.
Unlike flowering leaves, conifer leaves are far more resilient to pests and bugs. Moreover, they can survive harsh weather easily. However, they are not as effective food producers for the plant as a flowering leaf might be.
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see also about: bird’s-nest fern
Fonds
Fond leaves, also known as palm leaves, are also a very common type of leaf that can be found in ferns, cycads and palms. Fonds have a distinctive shape. Many people have the misconception that the fond leaves are all individual needle-like segments branching out from the stem of the plant. However, the fond leaf is a single large leaf that’s divided into smaller segments. The central stalk of the fonds is known as the stipe which then divides into separate blades.
Since the whole fond is just one leaf, if it catches any disease, the disease will spread very rapidly throughout the plant. To prevent this, high maintenance levels are required by constantly checking for diseases and pests. It is advised to treat any such problem immediately. Moreover, although fonds are bigger, the small division into blades causes the plant to underproduce the required nutrients for the plant, therefore, in a garden, it is advised to occasionally fertilise the plant with fonds with organic and NPK fertilisers.
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See also: Bushes: Types, uses, characteristics and how to plant
Grass leaves
The general category of what can be classified as “grass” is very broad. Therefore, the types of grass leaves can be very distinctive from one another. From lawn grass to exotic bamboo, all of it may as well be considered grass. Most grasses do have one thing in common though and it is the leaves.
Grass leaves are very long and thin-shaped. These leaves grow from the main stem of the grass and grow long enough to wrap around it. How the grass leaves bunch up can also vary greatly. Some grass leaves may bunch together at the base of the stem and then fan out as they grow, some may have a single leaf that grows from the stem or others may have a long and narrow stem that produces thin leaves at various points.
see also: Ruellia tuberosa: Medicinal uses, benefits, and plant care
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see also: Dypsis lutescens
FAQs
What are the biggest and smallest types of leaves?
The biggest and smallest types of leaves are Raphia Regalis and Wolffia Genus respectively.
What are the parts of a leaf?
The leaf is divided into two parts, the blade, which includes the midvein and the margin and the petiole, which is the stalk of the leaf.