Leaf Shapes
Acerose
Linear
Oblanceolate
Reniform
Oblong
Oval
Deltoid
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Elliptic
Gladiate
Ovate
Rhomboid
Ensiform
Falcate
Obovate
Hastate
Sagittate
Lanceolate
Orbicular
Flabellate
Cordate
Peltate
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Spatulate
Obcordate
Subulate
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Leaf Shapes
Acerose (Needle-like)
Needle shaped leaves like those found in many conifers, including pines,
spruce, and firs. The leaves may be grouped in bundles as in pines or singly.
Pine (Pinus)
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Fir (Abies)
Spruce (Picea)
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Linear
Long, thin and elongated leaf with parallel sides and no lobes.
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Oblong
An elongated, non-lobed leaf that is at least twice as long as wide.
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Gladiate and Ensiform
An elongated, non-lobed leaf that is sword-shaped.
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Falcate
Falcate refers to a leaf that is hooked or curled in shape.
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Lanceolate
An elongated, non-lobed leaf that is lance-shaped. The widest part of the
blade is below the middle of the leaf.
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Spatulate
A spoon-shaped leaf that has a rounded top and a tapering base.
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Oblanceolate
The inverse of lanceolate (lance-shaped) with the attachment to the petiole
being narrower than the tap.
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Oval
An oval-shaped leaf with the middle greater than half the length.
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Elliptic
A narrow oval the is boarder in the center than the ends. Each end tapers and
are approximately the same size.
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Ovate
An ovate or egg-shaped leaf blade that is narrower at the top than the base.
The inverse of obovate.
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Obovate
An egg-shaped leaf blade that is broader at the top than the base. The
inverse of obovate.
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Orbicular
The leaf blade is a near circle in outline.
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Cordate
The blade is heart-shaped with the wide part of the blade attached at the
base. The inverse of obcordate.
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Obcordate
Heart-shaped but with the narrow part of the leaf at the base. The inverse of
cordate.
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Reniform
The leaf blade is kidney-shaped .
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Deltoid
A triangular-shaped leaf.
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Rhomboid
A diamond-shaped leaf.
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Hastate
An arrow-shaped leaf with lobes that point outward.
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Sagittate
An arrow-shaped leaf with lobes that point downward.
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Flabellate
A fan-shaped leaf.
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Peltate
The petiole is attached within the leaf blade rather than along the blade edge.
Front side
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Subulate
These are the modified leaves found in some conifers. These are often
referred to as awl-shaped or scale-like.
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