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| ** Glossary ** | ||||
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Sheath / Sheathing |
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| A sheath is often an extension of a leaf blade, at the base of the blade. It is one method of attaching to a stem or branch, similar or analogous to other types of leaf stalks, except in this case it partially or entirely surrounds the stem or branch. Sheathing is the typical way in which leaves of grasses and sedges attach to stems. (Compare with petiole and clasping.) | ||
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| Figure
A. Leaf
of
common
Timothy
(a
grass) showing an "open" leaf sheath nearly completely surounding a stem. This leaf does not have a stalk. (Phleum pratense) |
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| Figure
B. Leaf
of
swamp
goldenrod
partially
(approx.
50%) surrounding a stem. It is the leaf stalk that partially surrounds the stem. (Solidago uliginosa) |
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| Images and text copyright Arieh Tal, 2017-2022. All rights reserved. |
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