Buds Leaves Leaves come in a wonderful array of sizes, shapes, textures, and colors, but whatever the form, they all serve a common function. Leaves manufacture the sugars and other compounds that serve as food for plants. To intercept as much light as possible, most leaves are flat and face broadside to the sun. Also, they are positioned to avoid shading other leaves on the same plant. When light strikes a leaf, much is reflected, however some is absorbed by the chlorophyll in the leaf tissue.
Leaves absorb carbon dioxide through tiny pores called stomata.
These pores are usually on the underside of the leaf, where the chance of clogging is reduced. Monocots, like turf, corn and daffodils have stomata on both sides of the leaf. Stomata also act as cooling mechanisms. If the plant starts to wilt the stomata will automatically close to conserve water. The plant discards the oxygen and mixes the hydrogen with carbon dioxide from the air to produce glucose and other sugars for food.