Glossary of Terms for Identifying Pacific Island Trees

Alternate: With one leaf attached at each node on the stem (see drawing below). 

Bipinnately compound: A compound leaf where the leaf is twice divided into leaflets (see drawing below).

Compound: A leaf whose blade is divided into distinct leaflets (see drawing below).

Crownshaft: The overlapping, sheathing leaf bases at the apex of the trunk of some palms (see Archontophoenix alexandrae (ALEXANDRA PALM)). 

Deciduous: Trees with leaves that persist for one growing season before falling off.

Evergreen: Trees with leaves that persist for two or more growing seasons.

Gland: A small raised, often circular body on a leaf that exudes a sticky substance.

Leaf stalk: Stalk connecting the leaf blade to the stem (also called the petiole).

Leaflet: A distinct and separate segment of a leaf blade (see drawing below).

Legume: A dry fruit that splits along two lines; made by members of the bean family (Fabaceae).

Midvein: The central vein of a leaf or leaflet.

Node: The point on a stem where a leaf is attached (see drawing below).

Opposite: With two leaves attached at each node on the stem (see drawing below).

Palmately Compound: A compound leaf with leaflets arising from a common point, usually at the end of the leaf stalk (see drawing below).

Palmately lobed: A leaf with lobes that arise from a common point, like a fingers from a hand.

Pinnately Compound: A leaf with leaflets emerging on opposite sides of a central axis in a featherlike fashion (see drawing below).

Primary leaflets: The first divisions of a bipinnately compound leaf (see drawing below).

Rachis: The main axis of a pinnately compound leaf (see drawing below).

Sap: Fluid, that can be clear, or white or variously colored the circulates in a plant.

Secondary Veins: Veins that branch from the central vein of a leaf or leaflet.

Simple: A leaf with a blade not divided into leaflets, bearing a single blade. 

Stamen: The male flower organ where pollen is formed. 

Tripinnately compound: A compound leaf with three orders of division of the leaf blade. 

Vein: The strands of transport tissue often seen as lines in leaves.

Whorled: With three or more leaves attached at each node on the stem (see drawing below).