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Glossary of leaf morphology








Glossary of leaf morphology


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The following is a defined list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular or irregular, may be smooth or bearing hair, bristles or spines. For more terms describing other aspects of leaves besides their overall morphology see the leaf article.




Chart illustrating leaf morphology terms




Contents





  • 1 Leaf structure


  • 2 Leaf and leaflet shapes


  • 3 Edge


  • 4 Leaf folding


  • 5 Latin descriptions


  • 6 See also


  • 7 References


  • 8 Bibliography


  • 9 External links




Leaf structure[edit]




A ternate compound leaf with a petiole but no rachis (or rachillae)


Leaves of most plants include a flat structure called the blade or lamina, but not all leaves are flat, some are cylindrical. Leaves may be simple, with a single leaf blade, or compound, with several leaflets. In flowering plants, as well as the blade of the leaf, there may be a petiole and stipules; compound leaves may have a rachis supporting the leaflets. Leaf structure is described by several terms that include:


























































Image
Term
Latin
Description
Leaf morphology Bifoliolate.pngbifoliolateHaving two leaflets[1]

geminate

jugate
Leaf morphology Bigeminate.pngbigeminateHaving two leaflets, each leaflet being bifoliolate
Leaf morphology bipinnate.pngbipinnatebipinnatusThe leaflets are themselves pinnately-compound; twice pinnate
Leaf morphology Biternate.pngbiternateWith three components, each with three leaflets
Leaf morphology odd pinnate.pngimparipinnateWith an odd number of leaflets, pinnate with a terminal leaflet (the opposite of paripinnate)
odd-pinnate
Leaf morphology even pinnate.pngparipinnatePinnate with an even number of leaflets, lacking a terminal leaflet (the opposite of imparipinnate)
even-pinnate
Leaf morphology Palmately compound.pngpalmately compoundpalmatusConsisting of leaflets all radiating from one point

pinnately compound

pinnatus
Having two rows of leaflets on opposite sides of a central axis, see imparipinnate and paripinnate
simpleLeaf blade in one continuous section, without leaflets (not compound)
Leaf morphology trifoliolate.pngternateternatusWith three leaflets

trifoliate

trifoliatus

trifoliolate

trifoliolatus
Leaf morphology tripinnate.pngtripinnatetripinnatusPinnately compound in which each leaflet is itself bipinnate


Leaf and leaflet shapes[edit]


Being one of the more visible features, leaf shape is commonly used for plant identification. Similar terms are used for other plant parts, such as petals, tepals, and bracts.




Oddly pinnate, pinnatifid leaves (Apium graveolens, celery)




Partial chlorosis revealing palmate venation in simple leaves of Hibiscus mutabilis










































































































































































































































































































































































Image
Term
Latin
Refers principally to
Description
Leaf morphology acicular.pngacicularacicularisentire leafSlender and pointed, needle-like.
Leaf morphology acuminate.pngacuminateacuminatusleaf tipTapering to a long point in a concave manner.
Leaf morphology Acute.pngacuteleaf tip or basePointed, having a short sharp apex angled less than 90°.
Leaf morphology Apiculate.pngapiculateapiculatusleaf tipTapering and ending in a short, slender point.
Leaf morphology aristate.pngaristatearistatusleaf tipEnding in a stiff, bristle-like point.
Leaf morphology Attenuate.pngattenuate
attenuatus
leaf baseHaving leaf tissue taper down the petiole to a narrow base, always having some leaf material on each side of the petiole.
Leaf morphology base auriculate.pngauriculate
auriculatus
leaf baseHaving ear-shaped appendages reaching beyond the attachment to the petiole or to the stem (in case of a seated leaf).
asymmetricalentire leafWith the blade shape different on each side of the midrib.
Leaf morphology Caudate.pngcaudate caudatusleaf tipTailed at the apex.
Leaf morphology cordate.pngcordatecordatusentire leaf
Heart-shaped, with the petiole or stem attached to the notch.
Leaf morphology cuneate.pngcuneatecuneatusleaf baseTriangular, wedge-shaped, stem attaches to point.
Handdrawn Cuspidate.pngcuspidatecuspidatusleaf tipWith a sharp, elongated, rigid tip; tipped with a cusp.
Leaf morphology deltoid.png
deltoid or deltate
deltoideusentire leafShaped like Greek letter Delta, triangular, stem attaches to side.
Leaf morphology digitate.pngdigitatedigitatusentire leafWith finger-like lobes, similar to palmate.[2]
Leaf morphology elliptic.pngellipticellipticusentire leafOval, with a short or no point.
Leaf morphology ensiforme.PNGensiformensiformisentire leafShaped like a sword, long and narrow with a sharp pointed tip.
Leaf morphology apex emarginate.pngemarginate
emarginatus
leaf tipSlightly indented at the tip.
Leaf morphology falcate.pngfalcatefalcatusentire leaf
Sickle-shaped.
Leaf morphology Fenestrate.pngfenestratefenestratussurface featuresLarge openings through the leaf, see perforate. Sometimes use to describes leaf epidermal windows.
Plant morphology solid filiform.pngfiliformfiliformisentire leafThread- or filament-shaped.
Leaf morphology flabelate.pngflabellateflabellatusentire leafSemi-circular, or fan-like.
Leaf morphology hastate.pnghastatehastatusentire leafSpear-shaped: Pointed, with barbs, shaped like a spear point, with flaring pointed lobes at the base.
Leaf morphology division laciniate.pnglaciniate
lacinatus
entire leafVery deeply lobed, the lobes being very drawn out, often making the leaf look somewhat like a branch or a pitchfork.
Leaf morphology lanceolate.pnglanceolatelanceolatusentire leafLong, wider in the middle, shaped like a lance tip.
laminar3-d shape
Flat (like most leaves)
Leaf morphology linear.pnglinearlinearisentire leafLong and very narrow like a blade of grass.
Leaf morphology lobed.pnglobedlobatusentire leafBeing divided by clefts, may be pinnately lobed or palmately lobed.
Leaf morphology Lorate.pnglorateloratusentire leafHaving the form of a thong or strap.
Leaf morphology Lyrate.pnglyratelyratusentire leafShaped like a lyre, pinnately lobed leaf with an enlarged terminal lobe and smaller lateral lobes.
Leaf morphology Mucronate.pngmucronate
mucronatus
leaf tipEnding abruptly in a small sharp point as a continuation of the midrib.[3]
Leaf morphology multifide.svgmultifid
multi + findere
entire leafCleft into many parts or lobes.
Leaf morphology obcordate.pngobcordateobcordatusentire leaf
Heart-shaped, stem attaches at the tapering end.
Leaf morphology oblanceolate.pngoblanceolateoblanceolatusentire leafMuch longer than wide and with the widest portion near the tip, reversed lanceolate.
Leaf morphology oblique.pngobliqueleaf baseAsymmetrical leaf base, with one side lower than the other
Leaf morphology oblong.pngoblongoblongusentire leafHaving an elongated form with slightly parallel sides, roughly rectangular.
Leaf morphology obovate.pngobovateobovatusentire leafTeardrop-shaped, stem attaches to the tapering end; reversed ovate.
obtrullateentire leafReversed trullate, the longer sides meet at the base rather than the apex.
Leaf morphology obtuse.pngobtuseobtusustipBlunt, forming an angle > 90°.
Leaf morphology orbicular.pngorbicularorbicularisentire leafCircular.
Leaf morphology ovale.pngovateovatusentire leafOval, egg-shaped, with a tapering point and the widest portion near the petiole.
Leaf morphology palmate.pngpalmatepalmatusentire leafPalm-shaped, i.e., with lobes or leaflets stemming from the leaf base.[4]
Palmatilobé.svgpalmately lobedpalmatusentire leafLobes spread radially from a point. [5]
Palmatifide.svgpalmatifid
palma + findere
entire leafPalm-shaped, having lobes with incisions that extend less than half-way toward the petiole.
Palmatipartite.svgpalmatipartite
palma + partiri
entire leafHaving lobes with incisions that extend over half-way toward the petiole.
Palmatiséquée.svgpalmatisect
palma + secare
entire leafHaving lobes with incisions that extend almost up, but not quite to the petiole.
Leaf morphology pandurate.pngpandurate
panduratus
entire leafFiddle-shaped; obovate with a constriction near the middle.
Leaf morphology pedate.pngpedate pedatusentire leafPalmate, with cleft lobes.[6]
Leaf morphology peltate.pngpeltatepeltatusstem attachmentA round leaf where the petiole attaches near the center. An example would be a lotus leaf.
Leaf morphology attachment connate-perfoliate.pngperfoliateperfoliatusstem attachmentWith the leaf blade surrounding the stem such that the stem appears to pass through the leaf.
Leaf morphology Perforate.pngperforateperforatusleaf surface features
Many holes, or perforations on leaf surface. Compare with fenestrate.
Pennatilobé.svg
pinnately lobed

pinna + lobus
entire leafHaving lobes pinnately arranged on the central axis.
Pennatifide.svgpinnatifid
pinna + findere
entire leafHaving lobes with incisions that extend less than half-way toward the midrib.
Pennatipartite2.svgpinnatipartite
pinnatus + partiri
entire leafHaving lobes with incisions that extend more than half-way toward the midrib.
Pennatiséquée.svgpinnatisect
pinnatus + sectus
entire leafHaving lobes with incisions that extend almost, or up to midrib.
Leaf morphology posture plicate.pngplicateplicatus3-d shapeFolded into pleats, usually lengthwise, serving the function of stiffening a large leaf.
Leaf morphology reniform.pngreniformreniformisentire leafShaped like a kidney: an oval with an inward curve on one side.
Leaf morphology apex retuse.pngretuse leaf tipWith a shallow notch in a round apex.
Leaf morphology rhomboid.png
rhomboid or rhombic
rhomboidalisentire leafDiamond-shaped.
Leaf morphology apex rounded.pngroundedrotundifoliusleaf tip or baseCircular, no distinct point.
semiterete3-d shapeRounded on one side, but flat on the other.
Leaf morphology division sinuate.png
sinuate

sinuatus
3-d shapeCircularly-lobed kind of leaves
Leaf morphology spear-shaped.pngsagittatesagittatusentire leaf
Arrowhead-shaped with the lower lobes folded, or curled downward
Leaf morphology spatulate.pngspatulatespathulatusentire leafSpoon-shaped; having a broad flat end which tapers to the base
Leaf morphology hastate.png
spear-shaped

hastatus
entire leafsee hastate.
Leaf morphology subobtuse.pngsubobtusesubobtususleaf tip or baseSomewhat blunted, neither blunt nor sharp
Leaf morphology subulate.pngsubulatesubulatusleaf tip
Awl-shaped with a tapering point
Plant morphology solid terete.pngterete3-d shapeCircular in cross-section; more or less cylindrical without grooves or ridges.
Leaf morphology trullate.pngtrullate entire leafShaped like a bricklayer's trowel
Leaf morphology truncate.pngtruncatetruncatusleaf tip or baseWith a squared-off end
undulateundulatus3-d shapeWave-like
Leaf morphology unifoliate.pngunifoliateunifoliatuscompound leavesWith a single leaflet. It is distinct from a simple leaf by the presence of two abcission layers and often by petiolules and stipels


Edge[edit]


Leaf margins (edges) are frequently used in visual plant identification because they are usually consistent within a species or group of species, and are an easy characteristic to observe. Edge and margin are interchangeable in the sense that they both refer to the outside perimeter of a leaf.































































Image
Term
Latin adjective
Description
Leaf morphology entire.pngentire
Forma
integra
Even; with a smooth margin; without toothing
Leaf morphology ciliate.pngciliateciliatusFringed with hairs
Leaf morphology crenate.pngcrenatecrenatusWavy-toothed; dentate with rounded teeth
crenulatecrenulateFinely crenate
crispedcrispuscurly
Leaf morphology dentate.pngdentatedentatusToothed. May be coarsely dentate, having large teeth, or glandular dentate, having teeth which bear glands
Leaf morphology denticulate.pngdenticulatedenticulatusFinely toothed
Leaf morphology doubly serrate.pngdoubly serrateduplicato-dentatusEach tooth bearing smaller teeth
Leaf morphology serrate.pngserrateserratusSaw-toothed; with asymmetrical teeth pointing forward
Leaf morphology serrulate.pngserrulateserrulatusFinely serrate
Leaf morphology sinuate.pngsinuatesinuosusWith deep, wave-like indentations; coarsely crenate
Leaf morphology lobate.pnglobatelobatusIndented, with the indentations not reaching the center
lobulatelobulatusWith small lobes
Leaf morphology undulate.pngundulateundulatusWith a wavy edge, shallower than sinuate
Leaf morphology spiny.png
spiny or pungent
spiculatusWith stiff, sharp points such as thistles


Leaf folding[edit]


Leaves may also be folded or rolled in various ways. If the leaves are initially folded in the bud, but later unrolls is its called vernation, ptyxis is the folding of an individual leaf in a bud.
































Image
Term
Latin
Description

carinate or keeled
carinatuswith a longitudinal ridge
conduplicatefolded upwards, with the surfaces close to parallel
Mimetes fimbrifolius (5211424654).jpgcucullateforming a hood, margins and tip curved downward
Involute vernation.jpginvoluterolled upwards (towards the adaxial surface)
Palm leaf washingtonia robusta.jpgplicateplicatuswith parallel folds
reduplicatefolded downwards, with the surfaces close to parallel
Ledum groenlandicum.jpgrevoluterolled downwards (towards the abaxial surface)
supervoluteopposing left and right halves of lamina folded along longitudinal axis, with one half rolled completely within the other


Latin descriptions[edit]


The Latin word for 'leaf', folium, is neuter. In descriptions of a single leaf, the neuter singular ending of the adjective is used, e.g. folium lanceolatum 'lanceolate leaf', folium lineare 'linear leaf'. In descriptions of multiple leaves, the neuter plural is used, e.g. folia linearia 'linear leaves'. Descriptions commonly refer to the plant using the ablative singular or plural, e.g. foliis ovatis 'with ovate leaves'.[7]



See also[edit]


  • Glossary of botanical terms

  • Glossary of plant morphology


  • Cladophylls are leaf-like petioles

  • Leaf size

  • Sinus


  • Leaflet (botany) and Rachis


  • Petiole (botany) and Plant stem


  • Phylloclades are flattened stems that resemble leaves

  • Pinnation

  • Plant morphology

  • Taxonomy (biology)


References[edit]




  1. ^ Radford, A. E., W. C. Dickison, J. R. Massey, C. R. Bell (1976), "Phytography - Morphological Evidence", Vascular Plant Systematics, Harper and Row, New YorkCS1 maint: Uses authors parameter (link).mw-parser-output cite.citationfont-style:inherit.mw-parser-output .citation qquotes:"""""""'""'".mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registrationcolor:#555.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration spanborder-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output code.cs1-codecolor:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-errordisplay:none;font-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-errorfont-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-maintdisplay:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-formatfont-size:95%.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-leftpadding-left:0.2em.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-rightpadding-right:0.2em


  2. ^ Also used to describe compound leaves with finger-like leaflets.


  3. ^ Mucronate, Answers.com, from Roget's Thesaurus.


  4. ^ "palmate (adj. palmately)". GardenWeb Glossary of Botanical Terms.


  5. ^ "Leaf description glossary". www.cs.rochester.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-02.


  6. ^ "Pedate leaf". Retrieved February 24, 2014.


  7. ^ Stearn (2004), pp. 439–440.



Bibliography[edit]


.mw-parser-output .refbeginfont-size:90%;margin-bottom:0.5em.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ullist-style-type:none;margin-left:0.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>dl>ddmargin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em;list-style:none.mw-parser-output .refbegin-100font-size:100%


  • Stearn, W.T. (2004). Botanical Latin (4th (p/b) ed.). Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN 978-0-7153-1643-6.


  • "Leaves"., in Massey & Murphy (1996)


  • "Shapes"., in Massey & Murphy (1996)


  • Massey, Jimmy R.; Murphy, James C. (1996). "Vascular plant systematics". NC Botnet. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 19 January 2016.



External links[edit]


  • The Description of Leaves, University of Rochester

  • Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

  • Vplants

  • Botany 115

  • The seed site







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