El follaje (del latín folĭum), es el órgano vegetativo de las plantas vasculares primariamente especializadas para la fotosíntesis.
El follaje típico es una estructura laminar o acicular que contiene sobre todo tejido fotosintetizador, situado siempre al alcance de la luz. En el follaje se produce la mayor parte de la transpiración, provocándose así la aspiración que arrastra agua y nutrientes inorgánicos desde las raíces. Secundariamente las hojas pueden modificarse para almacenar agua o para otros propósitos.
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In botany, a leaf is an above-ground plant organ specialized for photosynthesis. For this purpose, a leaf is typically flat (laminar) and thin, to expose the cells containing chloroplast to light over a broad area, and to allow light to penetrate fully into the tissues. Leaves are also the sites in most plants where transpiration and guttation take place. Leaves can store food and water, and are modified in some plants for other purposes. The comparable structures of ferns are correctly referred to as fronds. Furthermore, leaves are prominent in the human diet as leaf vegetables.
