Scale leaf

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scale leaves on the bud of a pear tree
Scale leaves on the stalk of coltsfoot

A scale leaf is a leaf with a reduced leaf blade , which is mainly formed by the lower leaf . It can be dry, skinned or leathery, but sometimes green.

Scale leaves act as bud scales to protect the leaves and flowers in the bud from drying out in winter. In some species they are also covered with a sticky layer of wax.

For example, green scale leaves are found on the stems of coltsfoot . Scale leaves are also found in plants from dry habitats, for example in the Saxaul .

literature

  • Eckehart J. Jäger: Rothmaler excursion flora from Germany. Vascular plants: baseline. Spektrum, Heidelberg 2011, ISBN 978-3-8274-1606-3 , p. 893.
  • Peter Sitte, Hubert Ziegler, Friedrich Ehrendorfer, Andreas Bresinsky: Strasburger, textbook of botany. Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart, Jena, New York 1991, ISBN 3-437-20447-5 , pp. 214-215.