Leaf shapes/apexes/bases/margins

Question 1

Acicular

Answer 1

CONIFER LEAF
- long
- slender
- pointed; needle-like

Ex: pine needles

Question 2

Linear

Answer 2

CONIFER LEAF
- very narrow
- sides nearly parallel
- several times longer than broad

Question 3

Scalelike

Answer 3

CONIFER LEAF
- very small, usually less than 1/4” long
- closely appressed to the twig and overlapping

Question 4

Awl-shaped

Answer 4

• very narrow and tapered
• several times longer than broad - apex long and sharp

ex: Giant Sequoia

Question 5

Ovate

Answer 5

• Egg shaped
• broadest point BELOW the center of the leaf

Question 6

Obovate

Answer 6

• inverted egg shaped
• broadest point is ABOVE the center of the leaf

Question 7

Lanceolate

Answer 7

• lance-shaped
• several times longer than broad
• upper portion of leaf long and tapered
• broadest point about 1/3 of the distance from BASE

Question 8

Oblanceolate

Answer 8

-lance-shaped
- several times longer than broad
- lower portion of leaf long and tapered
- broadest point about 1/3 of the distance from the APEX

Question 9

Oblong

Answer 9

• at least twice as long as broad
• side nearly parallel

Question 10

Elliptical

Answer 10

• broadest in CENTER
• tapering evenly toward end
• shaped like an ellipse or slender football

Question 11

Orbicular

Answer 11

• round or circular in outline

Question 12

Oval

Answer 12

• nearly circular in outline
• sides slightly compressed

Question 13

Deltoid

Answer 13

• triangular
• no notch at base

Question 14

Rhomboid

Answer 14

• diamond shaped

Question 15

Cordate

Answer 15

• heart shaped
• broadest near the base

Question 16

Spatulate

Answer 16

• narrowly obovate (INVERTED EGG SHAPE)

Question 17

Cuneate

Answer 17

• wedge shaped

Question 18

Glabrous

Answer 18

SURFACE
-smooth
- lacking hairs

Question 19

Glaucous

Answer 19

SURFACE
- having white powdery or waxy coating

Question 20

Hirsute

Answer 20

SURFACE
-short, stiff hairs

Question 21

Pubescent

Answer 21

SURFACE
- short, soft hairs

Question 22

Tomentose

Answer 22

SURFACE
- woolly hairs
- usually curled or matted
- felt-like or velvety

Question 23

Rugose

Answer 23

SURFACE
- wrinkled
- sunken veins

Question 24

Scabrous

Answer 24

SURFACE
- sandpapery

Question 25

Entire

Answer 25

MARGIN
- smooth
- lacking teeth or lobes

Question 26

Serrate

Answer 26

MARGIN
- sharp teeth pointing upwards

Question 27

Double serrate

Answer 27

MARGIN
- small teeth on larger teeth

Question 28

Revolute

Answer 28

MARGIN
- rolled down and under

Question 29

Pinnately Lobed

Answer 29

MARGIN
- secondary veins are spaced along a midrib, like a feather
- pinnate refers to “ladder like”

Ex: oak leaves

Question 30

Round apex

Answer 30

APEX
- almost semi-circular with sweeping arc

Question 31

Obtuse apex

Answer 31

APEX
- bluntly pointed
- apex forms angle greater than 90 degrees

Question 32

Acute

Answer 32

APEX
- apex forms angle less than 90 degrees
- tip NOT attentuated

Question 33

Accuminate

Answer 33

APEX
- narrowly acute
- long attentuate tip

Question 34

Emarginate

Answer 34

APEX
- shallowly notched

Question 35

Cuspidate

Answer 35

APEX
- terminating abruptly with sharp, rigid point

Question 36

Round base

Answer 36

BASE
- almost semi-circular or with a sweeping curve

Question 37

Obtuse base

Answer 37

BASE
- blunt
- sides form angle greater than 90 degrees

Question 38

Acute base

Answer 38

BASE
- sides for angle less than 90 degrees
- base NOT attentuated

Question 39

Cuneate

Answer 39

BASE
- wedge-shaped

Question 40

Inequilateral

Answer 40

BASE
- lop-sided or asymmetrical

Question 41

Palmately lobed

Answer 41

LEAF MARGIN
- several primary veins spread radially

Ex: maple leafs