What is the Difference Between Pinnatifid and Pinnatisect?

Pinnatifid and pinnatisect are two types of incompletely divided pinnate leaves, but they have distinct differences in the depth of their divisions:

• Pinnatifid: These leaves have lobes with incisions extending less than half-way towards the midrib, and the leaf lobes are not discrete or separate. In other words, pinnatifid leaves are deeply lobed but not divided to the central axis.
• Pinnatisect: These leaves have lobes with incisions extending almost or up to the midrib, but the bases of the pinnae are not contracted to form discrete leaflets. Pinnatisect leaves are cut all the way to the midrib or petiole, but the lobes remain connected to each other and are not separate leaflets.

In summary, the key difference between pinnatifid and pinnatisect leaves lies in the depth of their divisions: pinnatifid leaves have shallower incisions, while pinnatisect leaves have deeper incisions extending closer to or up to the midrib.

Comparative Table: Pinnatifid vs Pinnatisect

The main difference between pinnatifid and pinnatisect lies in the depth of the incisions in the lobes of the leaves. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

In summary, pinnatifid leaves have lobes with incisions extending less than halfway towards the midrib, while pinnatisect leaves have lobes with incisions extending almost or up to the midrib. Both types of leaves are incompletely divided and do not have separate leaflets.