also: らくよう
noun
fallen leaves; leaf litter
Refers to leaves that have already fallen, often on the ground. Can also refer to leaves in the process of falling, but primarily the result.
庭に落ち葉がたくさん積もっている。
A lot of fallen leaves have piled up in the garden.
秋になると、公園は落ち葉でいっぱいになる。
In autumn, the park becomes full of fallen leaves.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
leaf fall; defoliation
Only with reading らくよう
The process or phenomenon of leaves falling from trees. Used in botanical or descriptive contexts.
この木は秋に落葉する。
This tree sheds its leaves in autumn.
落葉の季節になると、掃除が大変だ。
When the leaf-fall season comes, cleaning is a lot of work.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
deciduous
Only with reading らくよう
Botanical term used attributively to describe trees that lose their leaves seasonally.
落葉の樹木は冬になると葉を落とす。
Deciduous trees shed their leaves in winter.