Phyllode

Phyllodes are modified petioles or leaf stems, which are leaf-like in appearance and function.^[1] In some plants, these become flattened and widened, while the leaf itself becomes reduced or vanishes altogether. Thus the phyllode comes to serve the purpose of the leaf. Some important examples are Euphorbia royleana which are cylindrical and Opuntia which are flattened.

They are common in the genus

shows the juvenile true leaves, together with the developing phyllodes, and the phyllodes of the mature plant.

The genus, Daviesia, in the family Fabaceae, is characterised in part by the plants having phyllodes.^[2]

• Phyllodes in Fabaceae
• 
  Acacia suaveolens
• 
  Lathyrus nissolia
• 
  Daviesia angulata
• 
  Daviesia nudiflora
• 
  Acacia mangium

References