Difference Between Reticulate and Parallel Venation

The main difference between reticulate and parallel venation is that the reticular venation is the presence of a net- or web-like vein patterns on the leaf blade whereas the parallel venation is the presence of parallel patterns of veins on the leaf blade.

Reticular and parallel venation are two types of arrangements of veins if the leaf blade or lamina of a higher plant. The arrangements of veins of the leaf blade is called venation.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Reticulate Venation
     – Definition, Types, Examples
2.What is Parallel Venation
     – Definition, Types, Examples
3. What are the Similarities Between Reticulate and Parallel Venation
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Reticulate and Parallel Venation
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Convergent Parallel Venation, Divergent Parallel Venation, Hydathodes, Palmate, Parallel Venation, Pinnate, Reticulate Venation, Veins

What is Reticulate Venation

Reticulate venation is a type of arrangement of veins, forming a network. It is a characteristic feature of the dicot leaf. In reticulate venation, a central vein (called the midvein or midrib) occurs in the middle of the leaf. The branches of the midvein give rise to the secondary veins, which extend towards the margin of the leaf. Some of these secondary veins form a particular construction called hydathodes at their terminations. Hydathodes are specialized secretary organs, which are involved in guttation. 

Figure 1: Reticulate Venation in Ostrya virginiana

The two main types of reticulate venation are pinnate reticulate venation and palmate reticulate venation.

• Pinnate reticulate venation – All the veins, apart from the midvein, are involved in the formation of the network in reticular venation. It is also called unicostate reticulate venation and it occurs in mangifera.
• Palmate reticulate venation – Many midribs occur in palmate reticulate venation while the rest of the veins form the reticular network. It is called multicosatate parallel venation and the two main types of it are the convergent and divergent. Inconvergent reticulate venation, the veins arising from the base of the midvein meet at the apex of the leaf. In divergent reticulate venation, each midvein enters into the each lobe of the leaf.

What is Parallel Venation

Parallel venation is a type of arrangement of veins in which the veins occur parallel to each other. It mainly occurs in monocot leaves. The two main types of parallel venation are pinnate parallel venation and palmate parallel venation.

• Pinnate parallel venation – The parallel veins arise from a prominent midvein present in the center of the lamina of the leaf in a perpendicular manner from the base to the apex. This type of venation is also known as unicostate parallel venation and it occurs in banana-like plants.

• Palmate parallel venation – Many parallel veins are present in the palmate parallel venation, which are prominent. This type of venation is called multicostate parallel venation and the two types of palmate parallel venation are convergent and divergent parallel venation. In the convergent parallel venation, the veins arise from the midvein, runs parallel to the midvein, and merge together at the apex of the leaf as in grass.

Figure 2: Convergent Parallel Venation in Tulip

In divergent parallel venation, the leaf is separated into lobes and a vein enters into each lobe separately as in palmyra palm.

Similarities Between Reticulate and Parallel Venation

• Reticulate and parallel venation are two types of arrangements of veins of the leaf blade.
• Venation is an important characteristic feature in recognizing and differentiating plants.
• Veins are made up of xylem and phloem, enclosed in parenchyma.
• The main function of veins is translocation, the transport of water and food throughout the leaf.
• Veins also provides support and coordination during the development of the leaf.

Difference Between Reticulate and Parallel Venation

Definition

Reticulate venation refers to the presence of interconnected veins, which form a web-like network whereas parallel venation refers to the presence of parallelly- running secondary veins to a central, perpendicular primary vein.

Occurrence

Furthermore, the reticulate venation occurs in dicots while the parallel venation occurs in monocots.

Examples

Moreover, the reticulate venation occurs in mango, hibiscus, ficus, etc. while the parallel venation occurs in banana, bamboo, wheat, grasses, maize, etc.

Conclusion

Reticulate venation is the formation of web-like nerves of the leaf blade while parallel venation is the formation of parallel veins from the base to the apex of the leaf blade. Reticulate venation mainly occurs in dicots while parallel venation mainly occurs in monocots. The main difference between reticulate and parallel venation is the type of vein arrangements.

Reference:

1. “Reticulate Venation.” TutorVista.com, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Ostrya virginiana1” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia 
2. “Tulip Leaves AWL” By Drewboy64 (talk) – I created this work entirely by myself. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia