


The Fascinating World of Stipels: Unique Plant Structures with Important Functions
Stipels are a type of plant structure that resemble small leaves or leaf-like structures, but they are not true leaves. They are found in some plants, particularly in the family Apocynaceae, which includes plants like oleander and dogbane.
Stipels are usually small and green, and they are often found in clusters along the stem of the plant. They may be opposite each other on the stem, or they may be arranged alternately. Stipels can serve a few different functions, such as helping to photosynthesize, providing additional surface area for the plant to absorb water and nutrients, or protecting the plant from excessive sunlight or wind.
Stipels are not true leaves because they do not have the same structure or function as true leaves. True leaves are formed from the shoot meristem, which is the part of the plant that produces new growth, and they have a distinct blade and petiole (stalk). Stipels, on the other hand, are formed from the stem, and they do not have a blade or petiole.
Overall, stipels are an interesting and unique feature of some plants, and they can provide important functions for the plant's survival and success.



