An adult ensiform leaf with a lamina that develops in a median plane, rather a transverse plane, throughout the length of the leaf and is a result of increased activity of the adaxial meristem early in development. [source: PMID:18978364, PO_REF:00006, PO_REF:00007]
Comment
Common in legumes of the genus Acacia. Similar development occurs in other ensiform leaves in some monocots, but they are not called phyllodes. Transitional leaves also occur, in which the basal portion of the leaf develops similar to a phyllode, but the apical portion of the leaf develops normal leaflets (see PO:0025336, transition phyllode leaf). Phyllodes are generally xeromorphic.