noun
trunk leaves; leaves near the base of a stem
Botanical term referring to leaves growing from the lower part of a stem or trunk, as opposed to upper leaves (末葉). Often used in plant morphology descriptions.
See also: 末葉 (うらば)
この植物は本葉が大きく、上部の葉は小さい。
This plant has large trunk leaves, while the upper leaves are small.
本葉と末葉の形が異なる種もある。
There are species where the shape of the trunk leaves differs from that of the upper leaves.