Six Key Leaf Modifications
| Modification | Plant | Modified Part | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tendril | Pea (Pisum sativum) | Leaflets of compound leaf | Climbing |
| Spine | Cactus (Opuntia) | Leaves | Water conservation, protection |
| Pitcher | Nepenthes | Leaf tip/lamina | Insect trapping (carnivory) |
| Bladder | Utricularia | Leaf | Aquatic insect trapping |
| Phyllode | Acacia auriculiformis | Petiole (flattened) | Photosynthesis with less water loss |
| Fleshy scale | Onion (Allium cepa) | Entire leaf | Food storage in bulb |
Critical Distinction — Thorn vs. Spine vs. Prickle:
- Thorn = stem modification (Bougainvillea, Citrus) — has vascular tissue, cannot be removed easily
- Spine = leaf modification (cactus) — has leaf trace vascular tissue
- Prickle = epidermal outgrowth (rose) — no vascular tissue, easily removed without tearing