1. 5th Grade Living Systems Investigation 2 “Vascular Plants”
Leaf Classification
5th Grade
Living Systems
Investigation 2 “Vascular Plants”

2. Classification
Classify: scientists organize, or classify, things by putting them in groups based on similar properties or behaviors.
Classification helps scientists think about concepts or efficiently.

3. How Leaves Are Classified
Classified by the basic pattern on veins
There are 3 patterns to help classify leaves:
Palmate
Pinnate
Parallel

4. Palmate Leaf
Several veins extending from the place where the leaf stem attaches to the leaf.

5. Pinnate Leaf
Pinnate Leaf: One large vein extending the length of the leaf with smaller veins branching off.
Pinna means feather, so pinnate leaf resembles a feather.

6. Parallel Leaf
Parallel: Many small veins running the length of the leaf.
Long, narrow leaves, like blades of grass, tend to have parallel veins.

7. Other Ways to Classify Leaves
Leaf shape (blade)
Kind of edge (margin) on the leaf
Kind of attachment to the stem (petiole)
Venation: Palmate, pinnate, and parallel