Question

Is foliage another name for a leaf?

Answer 1

Leaves are an important structure of the plant that are responsible for the major function of the plant to take place. They are green, chlorophyllous and flattened blade like structures that are attached to the plants with the stem.

Complete answer-
Leaves of flowering plants are present on the nodes of the stem. Leaves are dark green due to the presence of abundant chlorophyll and other pigments. Mostly the form and arrangement of the leaves are peculiar to the species. Important functions of the leaves are photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration and some specialized functions after modification. Different parts of a leaf are:
a. Lamina or leaf blade- It varies in shape, size and form. They show various variations in terms of leaf apex and even leaf margin.
b. Petiole or leaf stalk- It is cylindrical or sub cylindrical smooth or grooved stalk of the leaf. It holds the leaf in position and continues into the lamina as a midrib.
c. Leaf base or hypopodium- It is the basal part of the leaf which connects it with the stem. These parts of them have different structures that are used for the safety of the plant.
Foliage is a type of green leaves of the plant that help in the process of photosynthesis. They are generally flattened structures of a higher plant, typically green and blade- like. It is thus another word for the leaves as it means the same thing. Thus we can use term foliage instead of leaves.

Note:
In several plants leaves are modified and are used for the protection of the plant. Tendrils are thread- like structure sensitive structures which can coil around a support to help the plant in climbing. In some plants, they change into spines in order to protect the plant from grazing animals and excessive transpiration. Leaf bladders occur in aquatic carious plants. Pitchers are formed in some plants that are generally used to trap the insects in them.