Page 53 - Volt Elevate The World Around Us Book 4

Diversity in Leaves

Leaves come in a variety of colours, sizes, shapes, smells and textures. Let’s learn about
them.

Leaves can be either simple or
compound. Simple leaves have just a
single blade while compound leaves

consist of multiple leaflets. There are
also doubly compound leaves in which
the compound leaves are further

divided into smaller leaflets. simple, compound and doubly compound leaves

Leaves are mostly green in colour because of the presence of
a pigment called chlorophyll. However, some plants like the

croton have leaves that are yellow, red or orange.

croton plant

The sizes and shapes of leaves also vary. For example, lotus plant has round leaves,
guava leaves are oval, and eucalyptus leaves are long and narrow. Peepal tree leaves

are heart-shaped, pine leaves are needle-like and cactus plants have leaves that are
modified into spines.

leaves of different shapes

Leaf edges can be either smooth or jagged.

Leaves of mango and banana trees are smooth
while those of rose plants are jagged.

Leaves of herbs like mint and coriander, and
trees like neem and curry have distinct aroma

which makes it possible to identify them just
by their smell. smooth and jagged leaves

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