Phyllode
Phyllode
L&O
<catset>Category="Plant morphology"</catset><b>Phyllodes</b> are modified <a href="Petiole">petioles</a> or <a href="Leaf">Leaf</a> stems. 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.<p>They are common in the genus <i><a href="Acacia">Acacia</a></i>, especially the Australian species, at one time put in <i>Acacia</i> subg. <i>Phyllodineae</i>. Sometimes, especially on younger plants, partially formed phyllodes bearing reduced leaves can be seen.