Leaves

[petrushkagoogol]

Do leaves with a large surface area have more efficiency than those with smaller surface area?

[Speedjohn]

Leaves which are smaller in size have reduced light absorptive surface area which enables them to disperse absorbed heat very rapidly and leaves which are larger in size have more light absorptive surface area.Generally, leaves that are in the lower canopy have larger surface areas because they have fewer opportunities to capture sunlight.Large leaves increase heat absorption and water loss, which can be quite damaging to plants.Plants perform a balancing act to keep the surface area of the leaves large enough to get adequate sunlight without gaining too much heat or losing excessive water.