Often, they protect the buds and developing leaves and then fall off. Some can be large and conspicuous. They are typically paired in dicots, when they are present, and absent in monocots. Small shoots with scale-like leaves which, when given the proper conditions, burst out in growth. Although not technically leaves, buds are nearly always found associated with the base of a leaf petiole.
Leaves can consist of a single blade or can be divided into two or more blades.
The way these divisions are arranged is characteristic of individual species. It is important to keep in mind that a leaf is defined by its development and position, not just by its appearance. In general, compound leaves can be recognized by the absence of a bud at the base of the leaflet. These leaves can be further classified into paripinnate , in which all the leaflets are more or less paired, and there is no single terminal leaflet, and imparipinnate , in which there is a single terminal leaflet. Leaves with three leaflets and in which the terminal leaf is not stalked.