What is a modified leaf?

Question

What is a modified leaf?

Answer 1

Modified leaf is an adaptation of plant meant for its own survival and adapted due to its environmental stress. Eg. Tendrils used for climbing in otherwise difficult area.

Answer 2

One that's adapted for a special purpose.

Some examples of this could be Venus fly-trap, sundew, and pitcher plants, all of which are modified to trap insects, to poinsettias (the bright red, pink, or white structures aren't flowers but modified leaves (bracts), colored brightly to attract insects to the true flowers which sit at the centers of these leaves ( a photo of the flower:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/martin_heig... )

Answer 3

A normal leaf is assigned some specific functions i.e. Photosynthesis and transpiration. When a leaf is performing some  functions other than these two then it needs to have some structural changes in itself. The leaves which are performing these additional functions having changed their looks are called as modified leaves. eg. Nepenthes, Drossera where the leaves are capturing the insects to get the additional supply of nitrogen from the bodies of the insects. Some leaves are modified into tendrils to support the weak stem of the climber eg.  Pea.  In cactus the leaves are reduced to  thorns to reduce the rate of transpiration to save water.