Leaves consist of a long petiole and a rachis. The leaves have inconspicuous stipules at the base of each petiole. Glands are usually present on the rachis and the upper side of the petiole. Leaves whole or slightly sinuate, lanceolate, attenuated on a short petiole. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile or epetiolate. Leaves usually petiolate with distinct petiole and lamina, leaf arrangement distichous (spiral in Musaceae). The first leaves produced are ovate (egg-shaped) with a lobed petiole. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole in some species are called stipules. There are paired leaf-like stipules at the base of the petiole. Bracts are ovate, each with a definite petiole. The leaves are sessile, and very rarely narrowed into a petiole. At the base of each pinnate leaf petiole grow two thorns, about long. The leaves of banana plants are composed of a "stalk" (petiole) and a blade (lamina). The caudex is cylindrical, surrounded by the persistent petiole bases. The leaf petiole exudes milky sap when severed.