leafstalk

A leafstalk; the footstalk of a leaf, connecting the blade with the stem.

The plants show mostly two opposite leaves, (rarely 1 or 3) with a leafstalk, folded lengthwise.

The leafstalk is turned clockwise, signifying advancement.

Cut just below a leaf joint, and trim off the bottom leaves together with the stipules (the small scalelike growths at the base of each leafstalk).

The leaves are mostly opposite with no stipules (appendages at the base of a leafstalk or petiole), and may be either evergreen or deciduous.

Leaves come from the root of the plant and are divided into three parts at the end, a long leafstalk may be split into 2 to 3 parts again.

The leaves have a wide cross shape, lanceolate to elliptic, getting thinner where the leafstalk should be or with a very short leafstalk.

The leaves are palmately compound, composed of five leaflets (rarely three leaflets, particularly on younger vines) joined from a central point on the leafstalk, and range from 3 to 20 cm (rarely 30 cm) across.