The relationship between linear measurements (maximum length and maximum width) of leaves and gravimetrically determined actual areas of corresponding leaves were studied in Cleome gynandra L. which possesses compound leaves with dissimilar leaflets and Ahernanthera tenella Colla showing simple leaves. On the basis of correlation and regression analyses, the actual areas of leaves showed highly significant linear correlation (r=0.99) with the product of length and width of corresponding leaves in A. tenella and with all leaflets in C. gynandra. However, for C. gynandra linear measurements on the middle leaflet were found to be more significant than those of other leaflets. Assuming that regression constants (intercepts) had only little effect, the estimated leaf area of the sample based on the regression coefficient and the product of length and width was found same as that of actual leaf area determined gravimetrically in both plant species. Thus the leaf area constants (coefficients of regression) determined in the present investigation for C. gynanda and A. tenella could very well be used for computing leaf area per se in these two plants.
