Page 11 - Lesson Notes-Morphologyof flowering plant

(b) Palmate Compound Leaves The leaflets are attached at a common point, i.e., at
the tip of petiole as in silk cotton.

Phyllotaxy
The pattern of arrangement of leaves on the stem or branch is called phyllotaxy. It
helps to avoid overcrowding and provide every leaf with optimum sunshine.
Phyllotaxy is usually of three types
i. Alternate (Spiral) Phyllotaxy
A single leaf arises at each node in alternate manner, e.g, China rose, mustard and
sunflower plants.
ii. Opposite Phyllotaxy
A pair of leaves axises at each node and opposite to each other, e.g., Calotropis and
Psidium guajava (guava plants).
Whorled (Verticillate) Phyllotaxy
If more than two leaves arise at a node and form a whorl, it is called whorled. The
leaves of one whorl generally alternate with those of the adjacent whorls in order to
provide maximum exposure, e.g., Nerium (kaner), Alstonia.