Phyllode
A phyllode is a flattened
petiole or rachis that is
modified as the primary
photosynthetic portion of
the leaf.
Phyllodes
In most cases, the lamina
is reduced or absent and
the phyllode takes on the
function of the leaf.
Acacia melanoxylon
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Phyllode
Phyllodes are similar in appearance to cladodes (phylloclades), but a phyllode
is derived from leaf tissue and therefore subtends a bud, while a cladode is
derived from stem tissue with nodes. Some Acacia species produce phyllodes
while others produce cladodes.
Stem
Cladodes
Phyllodes
Phyllodes in weeping acacia (Acacia
pendula ) arising from stem tissue.
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Flat wattle (Acacia glaucoptera).
Each node has a flower.
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Phyllode
Leaves in Acacia koa are heteroblastic and there is a transition from a
juvenile compound leaf form with pinnate leaflets to a flattened rachis with
leaflets at the tip to the adult phyllode completely lacking leaflets.
Phyllodes
Phyllode
Flattened
rachis
Pinnate
leaflets
Pinnate
leaflets
Mature
Juvenile
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Phyllode
In Parkinsonia aculeate, the rachis (phyllode) is enlarged and persists after
the leaflets abscise. The phyllode becomes the main photosynthetic organ.
Swollen rachis
(Phyllode)
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