Alternate and Whorled phyllotaxy are two different types of leaf arrangements seen on a plant stem. Alternate has one leaf at a node, and whorled has two or more leaves.

In alternate type, leaf arises at each node in an alternate manner. Examples include china rose, sunflower, grass. In opposite type, pair of leaves arise at each node and are opposite to each other. Examples include Calotropis, guava. In whorled type, more than two leaves arise at a node and form a whorl. For example Alstonia, Nerium.

With an opposite leaf arrangement, two leaves arise from the stem at the same level (at the same node), on opposite sides of the stem. An opposite leaf pair can be thought of as a whorl of two leaves. With an alternate (spiral) pattern, each leaf arises at a different point (node) on the stem.

Opposite Phyllotaxy: In this type, a pair of leaves arise at each node and lie opposite to each other. Examples include Calotropis and guava. Whorled Phyllotaxy: In this type, more than two leaves arise at a node and form a whorl. Examples include Alstonia.