petiolule
/ˈpɛtiəljuːl/
noun
- The small stalk that attaches a leaflet to the main leaf stalk (petiole) in a compound leaf.
- In a compound leaf, each leaflet has its own tiny petiolule connecting it to the main stem.
- When the petiolule is very short, the leaflets appear to grow directly from the main stalk.
- The botanist measured the length of each petiolule to distinguish between similar species.