The expanded, flattened portion of a leaf that contains most of the photosynthetic tissue. This is the main body of the leaf, distinct from the petiole or leaf stalk.
Combines 'leaf' with 'blade,' where 'blade' comes from Old English 'blæd' meaning 'leaf' or 'flat part.' The compound term emphasizes the flat, expanded nature of this leaf portion.
The leaf blade is like a solar panel that's also a chemical factory! This flat surface isn't just catching sunlight - it's simultaneously making food, exchanging gases, and regulating water loss, all while staying thin enough to be flexible in the wind.
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