The words used to key leaf shapes make it possible to identify plant without pictures . This is especially authoritative in the field , where entree to a moving-picture show of every single plant you may descend across ( with a closing curtain - up of the leaf body structure ) is n’t always possible . It is possible , however , to use a universal code of descriptors to identify a leafage in point in the very minuscule infinite of a field guide . know these recognition words also help if you ca n’t convey a sample back for recognition and do n’t have a camera .

Whole Leaf Forms

Linear leaves are prospicient and slender with parallel side , and the vena are often parallel . Oblong and elliptic foliage are wider , but oblong foliage still have parallel sides . lancelike farewell are spear - like in visual aspect , while ovate are shaped like a spade . Obovate look like an inverted ovate foliage , with the tip of the spade - shape at the base . Spatulate resembles an reverse pear tree , and reniform a mushroom cloud head . Orbicular leaves resemble a wide-eyed , turn back heart - shape .

Tips

Leaf tip can be twin with nearly any of the above general forms . Acuminate and needlelike steer are both bespeak , though acute are n’t as spear - like as acuminate . Obtuse tips are almost entirely rounded , while truncate tips look like the tip has been trim down light off . Emarginate and obocordate tips are both bosom - shaped , though obocordate crown have a more severe dip in the midriff . Cuspidate and mucronate are both rounded tips that number to a small point at the center , though the wind of the cuspidate is far longer .

Bases

Bases are where the leaf is attached to a stem turn or the petiole , the tiny stem - comparable structure that connects the leaf to the rest of the plant . heart-shaped pedestal are core - shaped , with the petiole nestled at the center . Rounded bases are interchangeable , but do not have a pickpocket at the petiole . Squared base are box - like at the base , while sagittate bases are half - moon shaped , curve around the petiole . The edges of cuneate bases mold a " V , " while the attenuate form a " Y. "

Margins

The edges , or margins , of leave are some of the more ordinarily recognise feature film . If there are no serration or undulations at the edge , it ’s describe as intact . Serrated margins look like the brand of a saw . Crenate allowance look serrated , but with rounded summit . torn margin have inscrutable , maverick dips into the midsection of the leaf . Undulating margins are wavy , forming Benny Hill and valleys at the bound .

Examples

Rose leaves would be describe as elliptic with serrate margins . The tips would be discriminating , and the al-Qa’ida ( usually ) cuneate . Water lily leaves are in the main kidney-shaped , with full tolerance . Their tips are rounded , and their bases are sagittate ( in some varieties , cordate ) . Douglas fir pine trees and ponderosa true pine trees both have needles that are linear with total edge . But the tip differ : Douglas firs have round or cuspidate tips and ponderosa pines have acuminate tip .

References

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