isoboles

Isoboles are a botanical term referring to leaves that are arranged in a whorl at the same level on a stem. This means that three or more leaves arise from the same node, all pointing in different directions around the circumference of the stem. This arrangement is distinct from alternate leaf arrangement, where leaves arise singly at different levels, and opposite leaf arrangement, where two leaves arise from each node.

The term isoboles literally translates from Greek as "equal steps," alluding to the leaves being positioned at the same height. Isoboles are a characteristic feature found in certain plant families, aiding in their identification. For example, some species within the genus *Galium* (bedstraws) exhibit this leaf arrangement. Observing the number and placement of leaves at each node is a crucial step in botanical classification and understanding plant morphology. While not as common as alternate or opposite arrangements, isoboles represent a significant pattern in the diversity of plant structures.