Question

Differentiate between simple leaf and compound leaf.

Answer 1

1. Leaves in which the lamina is undivided is called a simple leaf.
2. The leaves in which the lamina is divided forming smaller leaflets originating from the midrib are called compound leaves.

Simple leaf	Compound leaf
1. The notches present at the leaf margin do not reach the midrib, keeping the lamina intact.	1. The notches extend towards the midrib resulting in small plantlets due to the divided lamina.
2. Axillary buds develop from the base of the simple leaf.	2. Leaflets do not possess any axil and hence axillary buds are absent.
3. The midrib or the central large midvein is a part of the lamina.	3. The leaflets originate from the midvein in a compound leaf.
4. Examples: mango, guava and banyan.	4. Examples: neem, shame plant and rose.