A leaf that has more than one leaflet or pinna is called a compound leaf. For example – Sajina, Lajjavati, Rose, Kamini, Neem, Krinchchura, Radhachura, Dhincha etc. Compound leaves are of two types. Pinnate compound leaves and palmate compound leaves.
1. Pinnate compound leaves : The compound leaf in which the leaves are connected on both sides of the leaf or rachis is called pinnate compound leaf. Different types of compound leaves are-
(i) Unipinnate compound leaf: A compound leaf whose rachis is unbranched is called unipinnate compound leaf. One-sided compound leaves are of two types. These are-
Pinnate compound leaves: If there is no leaflet at the apex of the rachis of a compound leaf, it is called a pinnate compound leaf. For example, monkey sticks.
Compound leaves: Compound leaves are called compound leaves if there are leaflets at the apex of the rachis. For example, rose.
(ii) Bipinnate compound leaf: The compound leaf which branches out from the rachis and the leaves are arranged on both sides of the branch is called Bipinnate compound leaf. For example, shy and shy.
(iii) Tripinnate compound leaf: The compound leaf in which the branches emerge from the branches of the rachis and the leaves are arranged on both sides of the branches is called tripinnate compound leaf. For example, Sajina.
(iv) Supercompound leaves: Compound leaves which are divided more than three times and have different segments are called decomposed. For example, coriander leaves.
2. Palmate compound leaf: The compound leaf in which the leaflets are joined at the top of the rachis is called palmate compound leaf. The compound leaves of palm can be of different types.
(i) Monofoliate compound leaf: The compound leaf which has only one leaflet at the top of the rachis is called Unifoliate leaf. For example, lemon.
(ii) Bifoliate compound leaf: The compound leaf which has two leaflets at the apex of the petiole or rachis is called bifoliate leaf. For example, Hingon.
(iii) Trifoliate compound leaf: The compound leaf which has three leaflets at the top of the petiole or rachis is called Trifoliate leaf. For example, Amrul.
(iv) Quadrifoliate compound leaf: The compound leaf which has four leaflets at the top of the petiole or rachis is called Quadrifoliate leaf. For example, Shushni.
(v) Multifoliate compound leaf: The compound leaf which has five or more leaflets at the top of the rachis is called Multifoliate leaf. For example, Shimul.
