How do pinnately compound leaves differ from palmately compound leaves in Sapindales plants?

In plants belonging to the order Sapindales, the primary difference between pinnately and palmately compound leaves lies in the arrangement of their leaflets relative to the petiole:

• Pinnately compound leaves: The leaflets are arranged in rows along both sides of a central axis, known as the rachis, which is an extension of the petiole. This is the most common leaf form found among species in the Sapindales order.123
• Palmately compound leaves: The leaflets radiate outward from a single point located at the distal end of the petiole, resembling the fingers of a hand. This configuration is rarely found in Sapindales.123

Regardless of the specific pattern, both types can be distinguished from simple leaves by the presence of leaflets rather than a single blade. Furthermore, you can confirm a leaf is compound by checking for the presence of axillary buds; these are found in the angle between the stem and the petiole of the entire compound leaf, but they are absent in the axils of individual leaflets.1