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Old 07-07-2008, 11:54 AM   #38 (permalink)
Gabe15
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Default Re: Flag Leaf on my Dw. Cavendish?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpfloors View Post
Is it possible for the last hand to have both male and female on the same hand?
That is quite common on many different cultivars, as usually the transitions between parts is gradual. This is the same concept as the flag leaf, bracts are leaves too, they are just modified from the leaves used primarily for photosynthesis and transpiration and change to attract pollinators instead. As the bud travels up the pseudostem, the leaves gradually change from full green leaves to bracts, one of which is called the flag, which is usually the last green leaf that has a decent size to it (which varies widely among plants). Before the flag however, there is a 3/4 leaf and a 1/2 leaf usually, the flag being basically the 1/4 sized leaf, after that the leaves are called bracts.
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