VARIOUS TYPES OF VENATION
The arrangement and distribution of veins and veinlets on the lamina of a leaf is called venation.
They are of three types:
1. Reticulate Venation:
When the veins are irregularly distributed to form a channel, it is known as Reticulate Venation.
It is the characteristic feature seen in dicots.
They are of two types:
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Unicostate or Pinnate Reticulate:
Leaf having a single main mid-rib.
Example: Hibiscus, Mango
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Multicostate or Palmate Reticulate:
Having two or more mid-ribs arising from a single point.
They are further divided as:
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Multicostate convergent:
Many mid-ribs in a curved fashion from base of blade to its apex.
Example: Zizyphus (Beri)
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Multicostate divergent:
Many mid-ribs arise at the base of the leaf and then diverge from one another towards the margin.
Example: Papaya, Cucurbita
2. Parallel Venation:
Veins are parallel and do not form a network.
They are of two types:
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Unicostate or Pinnate parallel:
Lamina has a single prominent midrib from which lateral veins arise which run towards the margin.
Example: Canna, Banana
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Multicostate or Palmate parallel:
Several leaves run parallel to each other.
They are further divided as:
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Multicostate convergent:
Principal veins appear from the base of the lamina and converge at the apex.
Example: Bamboo
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Multicostate divergent:
Main veins appear from the base of the lamina and converge at the apex.
Example: Fan palm
3. Furcate Venation:
Dichotomously branched veins. Also known as forked venation.
Example: Nephrolepis (Fern)