Leaf Structure

Leaf external structures

Lamina & petiole

Lamina

The flat, thin, smooth and green part of the leaf.

The leaf stalk that connects the lamina to the stem of the plant

The internal structure of leaf lamina

Cuticle, Upper epidermis, Lower epidermis, Palisade mesophyll, Spongy Mesophyll & Vascular bundle

Palisade Mesophyll

These cells are the sites for photosynthesis and contain many chloroplasts.

Structures in the vascular bundle

Xylem & phloem

Cuticle

The waxy, waterproof and transparent layer that covers the upper and lower parts of the leaf epidermis.

The stomata are located on the lower epidermis layer of a leaf.

Cuticle is transparent

Transparency of cuticle allows sunlight to pass through

Spongy mesophyll

Structure in the leaves that have many intercellular air spaces and lesser chloroplasts than palisade mesophyll.