1. Flattened leaf-like stems that function as leaves, found in certain plants such as acacias; a modified petiole or stem that performs photosynthesis.
Usage: botanical term; plural of phyllode; commonly found in Australian acacia species

Examples

• The acacia tree's phyllodes are actually modified stems, not true leaves.
• Many Australian plants use phyllodes instead of compound leaves to reduce water loss.
• Botanists study phyllodes to understand how plants adapt to arid environments.
• The phyllodes of the wattle plant are narrow and elongated.
• In some species, phyllodes develop from the flattening of the leaf petiole.