External plant parts - leaves

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Leaves and plant identification

Common blade shapes (Figure 14)

Lanceolate - Longer than wide and tapering toward the apex and base.
Linear - Narrow, several times longer than wide, and of approximately the same width throughout.
Cordate (heart-shaped) - Broadly ovate, tapering to an acute apex, with the base turning in and forming a notch where the petiole is attached.
Elliptical - About two or three times as long as wide, tapering to an acute or rounded apex and base.
Ovate - Egg-shaped, basal portion wide, tapering toward the apex.

 Figure 14. - Common leaf blade shapes.

Common margin forms (Figure 15)

Entire - Having a smooth edge with no teeth or notches.
Crenate - Having rounded teeth.
Dentate - Having teeth ending in an acute angle pointing outward.
Serrate - Having small, sharp teeth pointing toward the apex.
Incised - Having a margin cut into sharp, deep, irregular teeth or incisions.
Lobed - Having incisions that extend less than halfway to the midrib.

 Figure 15. - Common leaf margin shapes
Other Web resources | Glossary of botany terms

Other Web resources | Glossary of botany terms
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