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 Back to stem and leaf modification menu Next Back to vegetative parts main menu Main menu 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. Back to stem and leaf modification menu Back Next Flat wattle (Acacia glaucoptera). Each node has a flower. Back to vegetative parts main menu Main menu 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 Back to stem and leaf modification menu Back Next Back to vegetative parts main menu Main menu 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) Back to stem and leaf modification menu Back Back to vegetative parts main menu Main menu
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