A dendritic drainage pattern resembles the branches of a tree, with many small tributaries joining together to form larger streams and rivers. This pattern develops in regions of relatively uniform rock or soil, where the underlying material does not strongly influence the direction of stream flow. Dendritic patterns are significant in geomorphology for interpreting the characteristics of the underlying substrate and landscape evolution.
Reference: Howard, A. D. (1994). “A Detachment-Limited Model of Drainage Basin Evolution.” Water Resources Research, 30(7), 2261-2285.