Leaf

Leaflet

Definition

An organ of a vascular plant

A small leaf or a leaf-like part of a compound leaf.

Blades

A simple leaf has a single blade. A simple leaf may have incisions but these incisions are not deep enough to divide the blade into leaflets.

A leaflet is a subdivision of a compound leaf. The blades of compound leaves are divided into distinct parts.

Axillary bud

An axillary bud is present in the axil of a simple leaf.

Axillary bud is present in the axil of a compound leaf as well, but the leaflets of a compound leaf do not have them.

Body

A simple leaf has exactly one body to it, even if there are multiple lobes or points.

The compound leaf will have leaflets stemming in multiple locations from the main stem.

Plane

Leaves extend from the stem in various planes.

The leaflets of a given leaf all lie in the same plane.