Importance of Leaf

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Importance of Leaf
Unlike leaf-bearing plants, animals cannot manufacture their own food. For this reason, animals must receive their nourishment, either directly or indirectly, from leaf-bearing plants. For example, cattle, sheep, and horses eat the leaves of grasses and other plants. These animals, in turn, are consumed by various carnivorous animals, including humans. Humans also eat many kinds of leaves directly, including artichoke, cabbage, lettuce, and spinach.

In addition to being a source of food, leaves provide many useful products. For example, the leaves of tea plants are made into a beverage, and the leaves of thyme, sage, and parsley are used for seasoning foods. Tobacco leaves may be smoked or chewed. Drugs are obtained from the leaves of foxglove, witch hazel, senna, and many other plants. Oils extracted from the leaves of geranium and citronella plants are used in manufacturing perfumes and soaps, and oils from mint and wintergreen leaves are made into flavoring extracts. Tannins, chemical substances used in preparing leather, are derived from sumac leaves, and dyes are made from indigo and henna leaves. The leaves of many plants may be used as fertilizer.

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