dipinnate

Dipinnate refers to a specific type of leaf venation pattern observed in certain plant species. Venation describes the arrangement of veins within a leaf, and dipinnate venation is a specialized form of pinnate venation, which itself is a type of branching vein structure. In a dipinnate leaf, the primary veins (also called midrib or central vein) branch into secondary veins, which in turn further branch into tertiary veins. This creates a hierarchical, multi-level branching pattern, distinguishing it from simple pinnate venation, where veins branch only once from the midrib.

This type of venation is relatively rare and is typically found in certain families of flowering plants, such as the *Araceae* (arums) and some members of the *Arecaceae* (palms). Dipinnate leaves often appear more finely divided or "feather-like" compared to leaves with simpler venation patterns. The complexity of dipinnate venation can contribute to efficient water transport and nutrient distribution within the leaf, though its primary function remains closely tied to the plant’s overall physiology and adaptation to its environment.

Dipinnate leaves are sometimes confused with bipinnate leaves, which also exhibit multiple levels of branching but are typically associated with compound leaves (where the leaf blade is divided into multiple leaflets). In contrast, dipinnate venation specifically refers to the internal vein structure rather than the physical division of the leaf blade. This distinction is important for botanists studying leaf morphology and plant taxonomy.