trifoliolate leaf

plant anatomy

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July 14, 2026

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A trifoliolate leaf is a plant anatomy term describing a leaf that has three leaflets. This is a characteristic feature found in certain plant families, such as the Faboideae subfamily of legumes, which includes plants like clover, alfalfa, beans, and soybeans. While the term "trifoliate" can mean having three leaves, in botanical contexts, "trifoliolate" specifically refers to a leaf composed of three leaflets. Leaves are typically flattened, expanded organs on a plant stem that function in photosynthesis.1234

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Fabales
Faboideae
…those with three leaflets (trifoliolate) are common—e.g., beans and soybeans. Trifoliolate leaves rarely occur in the other subfamilies. The large genus of Lupinus (lupines) generally has 5–11 (occasionally up to 15) palmate leaves. The leaves of clovers are most commonly palmately trifoliolate, as are those of Baptisia. In one…
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…those with three leaflets (trifoliolate) are common—e.g., beans and soybeans. Trifoliolate leaves rarely occur in the other subfamilies. The large genus of Lupinus (lupines) generally has 5–11 (occasionally up to 15) palmate leaves. The leaves of clovers are most commonly palmately trifoliolate, as are those of Baptisia. In one…
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