Distinguish Leaves vs Leaflets: Objective Criteria

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Distinguishing between leaves and leaflets can be approached by examining the structure of the plant. In deciduous plants, a single twig leading to a single leaf indicates it is a leaf, while multiple branches from the attachment point suggest the presence of leaflets. This concept relates to the evolutionary idea of a large leaf being segmented into smaller leaflets. Buds play a crucial role in this identification process; they form at the junction between the leaf and its branch and can develop into branches, leaves, or flowers. Contrary to the belief that buds vanish, they actually grow and transform, remaining visible at the base of branches and stems. Understanding these features is essential for accurately identifying plant structures.
Stephen Tashi
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What are the objective criteria for determining whether something on a plant is a leaf vs whether it is a leaflet?
If I'm informed that a structure on a plant is a leaf with a certain number of leaflets, I can usually visualize the plant that way. But if I'm not informed about that fact, I only see leaves. How can I distinguish leaves vs leaflets?
 
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I'm not an expert on leaves but this is the approach I would take:
on deciduous plants (that loose their leaves seasonally) if there is a single little twig going to a single leaf surface then its a leaf. If there are little branches going from the leaf attachment point to several leaves, they are leaflets.
Its like a big leaf (evolutionarially) broken up in to several smaller leaves.

Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 12.54.09 AM.png
 
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The buds seem to be key features in the diagrams. I'm ignorant about what buds are. I think of them as the initial stages of a branch or leaf - something that would turn into a branch or the stem of a leaf and thus vanish. Yet in the diagrams the buds are still present at the base of branches and stems.
 
Stephen Tashi said:
something that would turn into a branch or the stem of a leaf and thus vanish
Buds form in the crotch between the leaf and its branch.
Buds can become branches, leaves, or flowers (buds). They don't vanish, they grow and change.
 
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