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Botanical Terminology Tutorial
Leaf Arrangement
Venation
Leaf Shape
Leaf Margin
Leaf Apex
Leaf Base
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Leaf Shapes

Awl-shaped
Learn More About Awl-shaped Leaf Shapes
Squamata Juniper
(Juniperus squamata)

Cordate
Learn More About Cordate Leaf Shapes
Eastern Redbud
(Cercis canadensis)
Deltoid
Learn More About Deltoild Leaf Shapes
Eastern Cottonwood
(Populus deltoides)
Lanceolate
Enlarge Photo
Leatherleaf Viburnum
(Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
Linear
Learn More About Linear Leaf Shapes
English Yew
(Taxus baccata)
Oblong
Learn More About Oblong Leaf Shapes
Common Privet
(Ligustrum vulgare)
Obovate
Learn More About Obovate Leaf Shapes
American Smoketree
(Cotinus obovatus)
Orbicular
Learn More About Orbicular Leaf Shapes
Purple Common Smoketree
(Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus')
Ovate
Learn More About Ovate Leaf Shapes
Downy Serviceberry
(Amelanchier arborea)
Perfoliate
Learn More About Perfoliate Leaf Shapes
Trumpet Honeysuckle
(Lonicera sempervirens)
Rhombic
Learn More About Rhombic Leaf Shapes
Vanhoutte spirea
(Spiraea x vanhouttei)
Scale-like
Learn More About Spatulate Leaf Shapes
Eastern arborvitae
(Thuja occidentalis)
Spatulate
Learn More About Spatulate Leaf Shapes
Purple-leaved Japanese barberry
(Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea)
 

 

The Importance of Leaf Shape
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Knowing the shape of a leaf can help identify a woody plant. There are many ways to describe a leaf’s shape, listed here are some of the preferred terms.

Illustrations of Leaf Shapes (pdf)

Botanical Terminology > Leaf Shapes  
 

©2005 Gary J. Kling and Laura L. Hayden, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Notes about this tutorial.