subdecurrent

Subdecurrent is a term used in botany to describe the arrangement of leaves on a stem. When leaves are subdecurrent, their bases extend downwards along the stem, often forming a wing-like structure. This differs from decurrent leaves where the leaf base extends significantly down the stem, sometimes forming a continuous rib or wing. In subdecurrent leaves, the extension is less pronounced and may only involve a small portion of the leaf margin. This characteristic is a useful feature in plant identification, particularly within certain plant families. It can influence how water is channeled down the stem and may play a role in the plant's overall morphology and ecological interactions. The degree of decurrence can vary, and subdecurrent represents an intermediate condition between leaves that are not decurrent at all and those that are fully decurrent.