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BI-PINNATELY COMPOUND LEAVES
Bi-pinnately compound leaves can be thought of like “twice-pinnate.” The main stalk (rachis) has leaflets attached, and those leaflets are themselves divided into smaller leaflets called pinnules. They create a feathery, delicate leaf.



Ohio Native Trees with Bi-Pinnately Compound Leaves
Above on the left, we have the Kentucky Coffeetree. These leaves are massive at up to three feet long and two feet wide, and feature leaflets that are 1-3 inches long. There are typically 5-9 main branches, each with 7-14 pinnules.
The middle image showcases the beautiful leaves of the Honey Locust tree. These leaves are delicate and feathery, and resemble a fern. This native tree can have either once- or twice-pinnate leaves that have fine, rounded teeth on the margin (edge) of the pinnules.
On the right is the Devil’s Walkingstick. The leaves of this tree are also enormous at up to five feet long. The rachis is prickly and the pinnules are serrated and oval-shaped. These leaves are very dark on top and much paler underneath, with prominent veins.
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