leaf buttress
Quick Summary
In plant anatomy, a leaf buttress is an early developmental structure that marks the beginning of a leaf's formation on the shoot apex. It originates from a localized concentration of cell divisions. Initially, these cells enlarge to form a nipple-shaped structure. The buttress then extends in length due to meristematic activity. As the leaf develops, the buttress flattens, and growth occurs laterally, forming the leaf's blade. This process involves marginal meristems that contribute to the leaf's epidermal layers and internal tissues, ultimately shaping the mature leaf.1
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