Simple and compound leaves.
Simple leaves can be distinguished from compound leaves by looking for axillary buds.
Each leaf has one axillary bud, where the petiole (stalk) attaches to the stem.
- A simple leaf is a single blade attached to one petiole, and one axillary bud.
- A compound leaf consists of one petiole with several leaflets.
- In a doubly compound leaf, each leaflet is divided into smaller leaflets.