The rachis in palmately compound leaves

Options

A. is absent
B. represents petiole
C. represents midribofleaf
D. branched

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Rachis**:
- Rachis is defined as the main axis of a compound leaf on which the leaflets are attached. It is a crucial structure in pinnately compound leaves.

2. **Identifying Leaf Types**:
- There are two main types of compound leaves: pinnately compound and palmately compound. In pinnately compound leaves, leaflets are arranged along a central rachis. In contrast, palmately compound leaves have leaflets that arise from a single point at the tip of the petiole.

3. **Analyzing Palmately Compound Leaves**:
- In palmately compound leaves, all leaflets are attached to a common point at the end of the petiole. This means there is no extended axis (rachis) connecting the leaflets as seen in pinnately compound leaves.

4. **Conclusion on Rachis in Palmately Compound Leaves**:
- Since the leaflets in palmately compound leaves do not have a common axis, we conclude that the rachis is absent in these types of leaves.

5. **Final Answer**:
- Therefore, the correct answer is that the rachis in palmately compound leaves is absent.