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 Botanical Terminology Tutorial
Leaf Arrangement
Venation
Leaf Shape
Leaf Margin
Leaf Apex
Leaf Base
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Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Click on the image for a larger view of the photo.
Click on the name for detailed information on the plant.

Click for larger photo
Common Hackberry
(Celtis occidentalis)

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Dwarf Fothergilla
(Fothergilla gardenii)
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Apple serviceberry
(Amelanchier x grandiflora)

 

 

What features makes leaf arrangement alternate?

Def: Leaves or Stems situated one at a node. Leaves can alternate along the stem.

Arrangement Along Stem:
Alternate leaves may appear in a distichous pattern. What does distichous mean?

Distichous means that the leaves are arranged in two ranks along either side of the stem. For a good example, look at the image of the Common Hackberry.

 

 

 

 

Botanical Terminology > Leaf Arrangement > Alternate  

 

©2005 Gary J. Kling and Laura L. Hayden, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Notes about this tutorial.