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American Museum of Natural History

Types of Compound Leaves

leaf_type(5)(6)

Pinnate (odd): Leaflets are attached along an extension of the petiole called a rachis; there is a terminal leaflet and therefore an odd number of leafle

twice_pinnate(6)

Twice pinnate: The leaflets are also divided into leaflets. 

pinnate(elven)

Pinnate (even): Leaflets are attached along an extension of the petiole called a rachis; there is an even number of leaflets. 

palmate

Palmate: Leaflets are attached to the tip of the petiole.

  • More About This Resource...

    • This illustrated guide is designed to help students recognize and learn the different types of compound leaves. The single Web page can be easily printed for use at field sites. Along with a short description, an illustration that identifies a leaflet and petiole is included for each type:

      • pinnate (odd)
      • twice pinnate
      • pinnate (even)
      • palmate 

    • Completion Time

      Less than 1 period

    • Teacher Tip

      Supplement a study of biodiversity with an activity drawn from this guide to types of compound leaves.

      1. Ask students if they think there are one or more types of compound leaves.
      2. Send students to this online guide, or print copies of it for them to read.
      3. Have the groups use field guides, the Web, or other classroom resources to identify five examples each of plants with the four different types of compound leaves.

    • Topic

      Biology

    • Subtopic

      Plants