Ptyxis

Ptyxis

Rolling or folding of individual leaves may be as follows:

1          Reclinate - when the upper half of the leaf blade is bent upon the lower half as in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica).

2          Conduplicate - when the leaf is folded lengthwise along the mid-rib, as in guava, sweet potato and camel’s foot tree (Bauhinia).

3  Plicate or plaited – when the leaf is repeatedly folded longitudinally along ribs in a zig-zag manner, as in Borassus flabellifer.

4          Circinate - when the leaf is rolled from the apex towards the base like the tail of a dog, as in ferns.

5          Convolute - when the leaf is rolled from one margin to the other, as in banana, aroids and Indian pennywort. Musa and members of Araceae.

6          Involute - when the two margins are rolled on the upper surface of the leaf towards the midrib or the centre of the leaf, as in water lily, lotus, Sandwich Island Climber (Antigonon) and Plumbago.

7          Crumpled - when the leaf is irregularly folded as in cabbage.