Question

What is the difference between microphylls and megaphylls?

Answer 1

Microphylls and megaphylls are two types of structures found in vascular plant leaves.

Microphylls: In-plant anatomy and evolution, microphylls are a type of plant leaf with a single unbranched vein.

Megaphylls: Megaphylls refer to leaves in which several or many large veins branch or run in parallel and are connected by a network of small veins.

Difference between microphylls and megaphylls:

Microphylls	Megaphylls
Definition: A type of very shortleaf such as in moss or clubmoss, with a single unbranched vein and no leaf gaps in the stele.	Definition: A type of leaf with several or many large veins branching apart or running parallel and connected by a network of smaller veins.
Leaf veins: Microphyll leaves have a single, unbranched leaf vein.	Leaf veins: Macrophyll leaves have several leaf veins.
Leaf gap: Microphylls have a single vein that emerges from the protostele without a leaf gap.	Leaf gap: Megaphylls have leaf gaps.
Examples: occurs in lycophytes and horsetails.	Examples: occurs in angiosperms, gymnosperms, and the fronds of ferns.