By: Kelli Dantin
Booklet: Leaf Shapes
Acicular
A simple leaf shaped like a needle. Often times they are several times longer than
wide and end sharply at the apex.
Acuminate
A simple leaf that is classified by the shape of the apex. It narrows or tapers to a short point
at the apex.
Alternate
A leaf characterization dictated by the posi-tion on the stem. In this case, leaves grow
4-part Cards: Leaf Shapes
Acicular
A simple leaf shaped like a needle. Often times they are several times longer than wide
and end sharply at the apex.
Acuminate
A simple leaf that is classified by the shape of the apex. It narrows or tapers to a short point
at the apex.
Alternate
A leaf characterization dictated by the posi-tion on the stem. In this case, leaves grow
Bi-pinnate
Cordate
Cuneate
Aristate
A simple leaf characterized by an apex having a ratio greater than 3:1 that is usually
pro-longed, straight and stiff.
A simple leaf characterized by the base of the leaf. It is wedge shaped with an base that
forms a point. A simple leaf characterized by the shape of
the base of the leaf. It is a heart shaped leaf in which the petiole attaches to the cleft.
Pinnately compound leaves in which the leaflets are pinnately compound. They often
Bi-pinnate
Cordate
Cuneate
Aristate
A simple leaf characterized by an apex having a ratio greater than 3:1 that is usually
pro-longed, straight and stiff.
A simple leaf characterized by the base of the leaf. It is wedge shaped with an base that
forms a point. A simple leaf characterized by the shape of
the base of the leaf. It is a heart shaped leaf in which the petiole attaches to the cleft.
Pinnately compound leaves in which the leaflets are pinnately compound. They often
Digitate
Elliptic
Even Pinnate
Deltoid
A simple leaf that is triangular shaped leaf with petiole attached to a side.
A compound leaf with leaflets forming two rows (pinnate) that is distinguished by two
leaflets at the tip. A simple leaf that is elliptical in shape,
nor-mally twice as long as it is thick. Its apex has a very short to non-existent point.
A compound leaf characterized by the posi-tion of the leaflets, which are arranged in
Digitate
Elliptic
Even Pinnate
Deltoid
A simple leaf that is triangular shaped leaf with petiole attached to a side.
A compound leaf with leaflets forming two rows (pinnate) that is distinguished by two
leaflets at the tip. A simple leaf that is elliptical in shape,
nor-mally twice as long as it is thick. Its apex has a very short to non-existent point.
A compound leaf characterized by the posi-tion of the leaflets, which are arranged in
Flabellate
Hastate
Lanceolate
Falcate
A simple leaf that is hooked or sickle shaped. It has one convex and one concave margin.
A simple leaf characterized based on the shape of the base and apex, both of which taper to a point. Named for its lance-head
shape. A simple leaf characterized by the shape of
the margin. It is shaped like a spear-head. It has long, narrow margins with flaring basal
lobes that point outwards.
A simple leaf with a semicircular or fan shape.
Flabellate
Hastate
Lanceolate
Falcate
A simple leaf that is hooked or sickle shaped. It has one convex and one concave margin.
A simple leaf characterized based on the shape of the base and apex, both of which taper to a point. Named for its lance-head
shape. A simple leaf characterized by the shape of
the margin. It is shaped like a spear-head. It has long, narrow margins with flaring basal
lobes that point outwards.
A simple leaf with a semicircular or fan shape.
Lobed
Obcordate
Obovate
Linear
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins. They are long and narrow
with the two sides being parallel.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its egg
shape. The apex is the larger rounder por-tion, while the base is smaller and pointer. A simple leaf characterized by the apex shape
and the base. It is heart shaped with a cleft apex and pointed base.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margins, which are severely indented, but not to the point that the indention reaches the
Lobed
Obcordate
Obovate
Linear
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins. They are long and narrow
with the two sides being parallel.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its egg
shape. The apex is the larger rounder por-tion, while the base is smaller and pointer. A simple leaf characterized by the apex shape
and the base. It is heart shaped with a cleft apex and pointed base.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margins, which are severely indented, but not to the point that the indention reaches the
Odd Pinnate
Opposite
Orbiculate
Obtuse
A simple leaf that is characterized based on the shape of the apex of the leaf, which is
rounded or blunt.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its
circu-lar or nearly circucircu-lar shape. A leaf characterization dictated by the
posi-tion on the stem. In this case two leaves are paired and connect at each node, opposite
each other.
A compound leaf named for the arrange-ment of its leaflets on there petiole. The leaflets are pinnate with one leaflet at the
Odd Pinnate
Opposite
Orbiculate
Obtuse
A simple leaf that is characterized based on the shape of the apex of the leaf, which is
rounded or blunt.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its
circu-lar or nearly circucircu-lar shape. A leaf characterization dictated by the
posi-tion on the stem. In this case two leaves are paired and connect at each node, opposite
each other.
A compound leaf named for the arrange-ment of its leaflets on there petiole. The leaflets are pinnate with one leaflet at the
Palmate
Pedate
Peltate
Ovate
A simple leaf characterized by shape of the margin, which is egg shaped. It is narrower at
the apex and broader at the base.
A simple leaf characterized by the flat circular blade attached to the stem at the center of the blade rather than at the edge of the margin. A simple leaf characterized by the shape of
the margin. It has palmately divided lobes with lateral lobes that are cleft or divided.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins, which are shaped like the hand with the fingers extended. The lobes
Palmate
Pedate
Peltate
Ovate
A simple leaf characterized by shape of the margin, which is egg shaped. It is narrower at
the apex and broader at the base.
A simple leaf characterized by the flat circular blade attached to the stem at the center of the blade rather than at the edge of the margin. A simple leaf characterized by the shape of
the margin. It has palmately divided lobes with lateral lobes that are cleft or divided.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins, which are shaped like the hand with the fingers extended. The lobes
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboid
Perfoliate
A simple leaf that is characterized by stem location, in which the leaf appears to be
pierced by the stem.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which has a rhombus or diamond
shape. A simple leaf characterized by its kidney
shape.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which is lobed deeply in a
pin-nate pattern, although it does not actually form separate leaflets.
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboid
Perfoliate
A simple leaf that is characterized by stem location, in which the leaf appears to be
pierced by the stem.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which has a rhombus or diamond
shape. A simple leaf characterized by its kidney
shape.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which is lobed deeply in a
pin-nate pattern, although it does not actually form separate leaflets.
Spatulate
Spearshaped
Subulate
Rossete
A compound leaf characterized by leaflets that grow in crowded circles from a common
center or crown.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade. It has a long slender blade, which
is tapers to a point at the apex. A simple leaf, which has a spear shaped
blade. The apex is pointed, while the base has barbed lobes.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade, which is spatula shaped. The blade has a broad rounded apex and narrow
Spatulate
Spearshaped
Subulate
Rossete
A compound leaf characterized by leaflets that grow in crowded circles from a common
center or crown.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade. It has a long slender blade, which
is tapers to a point at the apex. A simple leaf, which has a spear shaped
blade. The apex is pointed, while the base has barbed lobes.
A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade, which is spatula shaped. The blade has a broad rounded apex and narrow
Tripinnate
Truncate
Whorled
Trifolate
A compound leaf characterized by the exis-tence of three leaflets.
A compound leaf in which there are three or more leaves at each node in a circular pattern
around the stem. A simple leaf that is characterized by a base
which appears to terminate abruptly.
A compound leaf in which the pinnate divi-sions are further divided into three pinnate
Tripinnate
Truncate
Whorled
Trifolate
A compound leaf characterized by the exis-tence of three leaflets.
A compound leaf in which there are three or more leaves at each node in a circular pattern
around the stem. A simple leaf that is characterized by a base
which appears to terminate abruptly.
A compound leaf in which the pinnate divi-sions are further divided into three pinnate
Ciliate
Crenate
Dentate
Margins
The border of a leaf.
A leaf with a border or edge having “tooth-like” projections.
A leaf having a border or edge that is scal-loped, a series of curved projections.
A leaf having a border or edge with hair like projections.
Ciliate
Crenate
Dentate
Margins
The border of a leaf.
A leaf with a border or edge having “tooth-like” projections.
A leaf having a border or edge that is scal-loped, a series of curved projections.
A leaf having a border or edge with hair like projections.
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobate
Denticulate
A leaf having a finely toothed margin.
A leaf having a border or edge which is lobed, or having large rounded projections. A leaf having a border or edge which is
smooth having no notches or indentations.
A leaf having a border or edge having smaller serratures upon larger ones.
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobate
Denticulate
A leaf having a finely toothed margin.
A leaf having a border or edge which is lobed, or having large rounded projections. A leaf having a border or edge which is
smooth having no notches or indentations.
A leaf having a border or edge having smaller serratures upon larger ones.
Serrulate
Sinute
Spiny
Serrate
A leaf having an edge or border notched like a saw with teeth like projections pointing toward
the apex.
A leaf having an edge or border having spine or thorn projections.
A leaf having an edge or border having a wavy indention.
A leaf having an edge or border that is mi-nutely serrate.
Serrulate
Sinute
Spiny
Serrate
A leaf having an edge or border notched like a saw with teeth like projections pointing toward
the apex.
A leaf having an edge or border having spine or thorn projections.
A leaf having an edge or border having a wavy indention.
A leaf having an edge or border that is mi-nutely serrate.
Venation
Arcuate
Cross Venulate
Undulated
A leaf having an edge or border having a smooth wavy outline.
A leaf having small veins connecting secon-dary veins.
A leaf having veins which are curved.
The shape, or arrangement, of the veins of a leaf.
Venation
Arcuate
Cross Venulate
Undulated
A leaf having an edge or border having a smooth wavy outline.
A leaf having small veins connecting secon-dary veins.
A leaf having veins which are curved.
The shape, or arrangement, of the veins of a leaf.
Longitudinal
Palmate
Parallel
Dichotomous
A leaf having veins which branch symmetri-cally in pairs.
A leaf having veins arranged axially not inter-secting.
A leaf having several primary veins radiating from a point.
A leaf having veins aligned mostly along the long axis of the leaf.
Longitudinal
Palmate
Parallel
Dichotomous
A leaf having veins which branch symmetri-cally in pairs.
A leaf having veins arranged axially not inter-secting.
A leaf having several primary veins radiating from a point.
A leaf having veins aligned mostly along the long axis of the leaf.
Reticulate
Rotate
Label
Pinnate
A leaf having secondary veins paired oppo-sitely.
Definition Veins radiating in peltate leaves.
A leaf having smaller veins forming an net-work.
Reticulate
Rotate
Label
Pinnate
A leaf having secondary veins paired oppo-sitely.
Definition Veins radiating in peltate leaves.
A leaf having smaller veins forming an net-work.
