Petiole (botany)

In botany, the petiole (/ˈpiːtᵻoʊl/) is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole is the transition between the stem and the leaf blade. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole in some species are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile or epetiolate.