Simple leaves can be distinguished from compound leaves by looking for axillary buds.
Each leaf has one axillary bud, where the petiole (stalk) attaches to the stem.
- A simple leaf is a single blade attached to one petiole, and one axillary bud.
- A compound leaf consists of one petiole with several leaflets.
- In a doubly compound leaf, each leaflet is divided into smaller leaflets.