Skip to main content
stipule

stipule

9.9
A small leaf-like part at the base of a leaf stem on some plants that falls off early
  • noun
  • /ˈstɪp.juːl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estípula
  • Some plants have a pair of stipules at the base of their leaves.

Examples

  • The stipules of this plant fall off early and can be hard to spot.

  • Roses often have small stipules at the base of each leaf stalk.

  • Some species lack stipule structures entirely, making them harder to distinguish botanically.

  • The stipule is often mistaken for a leaf.

  • Roses often have small stipules at the base of each leaf stalk.

  • Some species lack stipules entirely, making them harder to distinguish botanically.

  • The stipules of this plant fall off early and can be hard to spot.

Synonyms

prophyll
vsstipule
  • Specialized
9.9

A small first leaf at the base of a side shoot or flower

is at a leaf stalk base rather than at a shoot or flower base

How Big

leaf
178 1.0
bract
  • Specialized
1 9.9
stipule
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

stipule singular
stipules plural

Etymology

The word stipule comes from the Latin stipula, which means 'straw' or 'stalk'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of the small, straw-like parts at the base of a leaf that look a bit like tiny stalks.