The shape and colour of the leaf, the number and arrangement of the veins, the size and complexity of the teeth and the shape and arrangement of the lobes are genetically controlled and offer an excellent means of identifying trees. This has individual leaflets arranged either side of a midrib like a feather. If growth between tips is further inhibited a ‘pinnate’ leaf may be formed. If the gap reaches the midrib the leaf is ‘palmate’. This leaf is ‘pinnately lobed’, or lobes may spread radially from a point like a hand.This leaf is ‘palmately lobed’. Lobes may be arranged on either side of a central axis like a feather. A lobe is a rounded or pointed segment of a leaf that is separated from other segments by a gap that does not reach the midrib of the leaf. If the growth between the tips is inhibited even more, a lobe is formed. Smooth margins grow at a uniform rate but toothed leaves have parts of the margin that are distant from the growth points and lag behind resulting in the formation of teeth. There are growth points along the margin which are aligned with veins. The margin may be smooth, toothed or lobed. (9 m) tall, and thrive in full sun in zones 8 to 10. The pendulous, lance-shaped leaves are a silvery-green color and are commonly used in floral arrangements. The shape of the leaf is determined by how the margin and the veins develop and is under precise genetic control. Spinning gum trees are a small species of eucalyptus tree with whitish-green striped smooth bark. The edge of the lamina is called the leaf margin. The leaf blade is also referred to as the lamina. The network of veins reaches every part of the leaf surface. The veins are tubes that carry water and nutrients to and from the leaf surface. This is the central or main vein of the leaf. The leaf blade is divided down the centre by the midrib. If the leaf has no petiole and sits right on the shoot it is known as sessile. The petiole connects the leaf to the shoot. There are even some shrubs that sport skinny foliage, such as the compact Oregon grape holly and the Emerald Wave sweet bay.On broadleaf tree leaves the leaf stalk is referred to as a petiole by botanists. It is rare to find a vine with long, thin leaves, but the cypress vine fits the bill with its needle-like foliage. There are even succulents with long, thin foliage, although it tends to be fleshy. Houseplants such as the spider plant, dracaena, ponytail palm, and snake plant have leaves that are long and thin as well. The thin leaves on these bulb plants help to create less drag and to elevate the comparatively heavy bloom. Flowering bulbs like daffodil, gladiolus, and tulip are all plants with skinny leaves. There are many flowering perennial plants with long, thin leaves such as daylilies and the African iris. The upside to needles on conifers is that the tree can keep its foliage year round so it can photosynthesize the downside is that the tiny needles reduce the amount of photosynthesis. Conifers such as pine trees, spruce, and firs have needles. ![]() Some conifers have needles, and some have scale-like leaves. In the case of underwater plants, skinny leaves on plants take advantage of their length and light weight.Īs mentioned, conifer leaves are narrow. That makes sense for terrestrial plants, but what about aquatic plants? Reed and grass plants with long and narrow leaves have evolved for a reason as well. Eventually, scientists determined that leaves that are long and thin are nature’s way of protecting plants from not only the risk of overheating and drying but also from freezing at night. Do the leaves look heart-shaped with a long, tapering tip and smooth outer edges and BLADES (the flat part of a leaf) that are 8'-15'long CLUE: The fruit is a thin, brown seed pod 8'-20' long. Why would plants with long, thin leaves abound in arid and northern regions? It seems that skinny leaves on plants have something to do with overheating and drying, but it also has to do with changes between hot days and frigid nights. Plants near the equator tended to have larger leaves, but as you move toward the poles and into deserts, you see more leaves that are long and thin. ![]() When scientists began to examine plants with long, thin leaves ( Fun fact: Approximately 7,670 types of plants with long and narrow leaves exist), they discovered some commonalities.
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