Editing Glossary of leaf morphology

{{Short description|none}}
[[File:Leaf morphology.svg|thumb|right|Chart illustrating leaf morphology terms|upright=1.4]]
The following terms are used to describe [[leaf]] [[plant morphology|morphology]] in the description and [[taxonomy (biology)|taxonomy]] of plants. Leaves may be simple (that is, the leaf blade or 'lamina' is undivided) or compound (that is, the leaf blade is divided into two or more [[leaflet (botany)|leaflets]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The Ultimate Visual Family Dictionary |publisher=[[DK Pub.]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-1434-1954-9 |location=New Delhi |pages=136–137 |language=en}}</ref> The edge of the leaf may be regular or irregular, and may be smooth or have hair, bristles, or spines. For more terms describing other aspects of leaves besides their overall morphology see the [[leaf#Terminology|leaf]] article.

The terms listed here all are supported by technical and professional usage, but they cannot be represented as mandatory or undebatable; readers must use their judgement. Authors often use terms arbitrarily, or coin them to taste, possibly in ignorance of established terms, and it is not always clear whether because of ignorance, or personal preference, or because usages change with time or context, or because of variation between specimens, even specimens from the same plant.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} For example, whether to call leaves on the same tree "acuminate", "lanceolate", or "linear" could depend on individual judgement, or which part of the tree one collected them from. The same cautions might apply to "caudate", "cuspidate", and "mucronate", or to "crenate", "dentate", and "serrate".

Another problem is to establish definitions that meet all cases or satisfy all authorities and readers. For example, it seems altogether reasonable to define a mucro as "a small sharp point as a continuation of the midrib", but it may not be clear how small is small enough, how sharp is sharp enough, how hard the point must be, and what to call the point when one cannot tell whether the leaf has a midrib at all. Various authors or field workers might come to incompatible conclusions, or might try to compromise by qualifying terms so vaguely that a description of a particular plant practically loses its value.

Use of these terms is not restricted to leaves, but may be applied to morphology of other parts of plants, e.g. [[bract]]s, [[bracteole]]s, [[stipule]]s, [[sepal]]s, [[petal]]s, [[Gynoecium#Carpels|carpels]] or [[Trichome|scale]]s. Some of these terms are also used for similar-looking anatomical features on animals.

==Leaf structure==
Leaves of most plants include a flat structure called the blade or lamina supported by a network of veins, a petiole and a leaf base;<ref name=":0" /> but not all leaves are flat, some are cylindrical.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} Leaves may be simple, with a single leaf blade, or compound, with several [[leaflet (botany)|leaflets]]. Compound leaves may be pinnate with pinnae (leaflets) on both sides of a rachis (axis), or may be palmate with multiple leaflets arising from a single point.<ref name=":0" /> Leaf structure is described by several terms that include:
[[File:Bipinnate leaf anatomy with alternate labels.jpg|thumb|Bipinnate leaf anatomy with labels showing alternative usages]][[File:Leaf morphology type ternately-compound palmate-ternate sessile.png|thumb|A ternate compound leaf with a [[petiole (botany)|petiole]] but no [[rachis]] (or rachillae)]]
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="margin:auto; width:80%
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Image
! scope="col" | Term
! scope="col" | Latin
! scope="col" | Description
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[File:Leaf morphology Bifoliolate.png|100px]] || [[wikt:bifoliolate|{{vanchor|bifoliolate}}]] || rowspan="3" | || rowspan="3" | Having two leaflets<ref>{{Cite book |title=Vascular Plant Systematics |last1=Radford | first1 = A.E. | first2 = W.C. | last2 = Dickison | first3 = J.R. | last3 = Massey | first4 = C.R. |last4 = Bell |year=1976 |publisher=Harper and Row, New York |chapter=Phytography - Morphological Evidence |chapter-url=http://www.ibiblio.org/botnet/glossary/}}</ref>
|-
| {{vanchor|geminate}}
|-
| {{vanchor|jugate}}
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Bigeminate.png|100px]] || [[wikt:bigeminate|{{vanchor|bigeminate}}]] || || Having two leaflets, each leaflet being bifoliolate
|-

| [[File:Leaf morphology bipinnate.png|100px]] || [[wikt:bipinnate|{{vanchor|bipinnate}}]] || {{lang|la|bipinnatus}} || The leaflets are themselves [[#pinnate|pinnately]]-compound; twice pinnate<ref name=":0" /> see [[#imparipinnate|imparipinnate]] and [[#paripinnate|paripinnate]]
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Biternate.png|100px]] || [[wikt:biternate|{{vanchor|biternate}}]] || || With three components, each with three leaflets<ref name=":0" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Leaf morphology odd pinnate.png|100px]] || [[wikt:imparipinnate|{{vanchor|imparipinnate}}]] || || rowspan="2" | With an [[Parity (mathematics)|odd number]] of leaflets, pinnate with a terminal leaflet (the opposite of [[#paripinnate|paripinnate]])<ref name=":0" />
|-
| {{vanchor|odd-pinnate}} ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Leaf morphology even pinnate.png|100px]] || {{Anchor|Even-pinnate}}[[wikt:paripinnate|{{vanchor|paripinnate}}]] || || rowspan="2" | Pinnate with an [[Parity (mathematics)|even number]] of leaflets, lacking a terminal leaflet (the opposite of [[#imparipinnate|imparipinnate]])<ref name=":0" />
|-
| even-pinnate ||
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Palmately compound.png|100px]] || [[wikt:palmate|{{vanchor|palmately compound}}]] ||''palmatus''|| Consisting of leaflets all radiating from one point
|-
|[[File:Leaf morphology Acute.png|100px]]||{{anchor|simple}} [[simple leaf|simple]]|| || Leaf blade in one continuous section, without leaflets (not compound)<ref name=":0" />
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[File:Leaf morphology trifoliolate.png|100px]]|| [[wikt:ternate|{{vanchor|ternate}}]]|| {{lang|la|ternatus}} || rowspan="3" | With three leaflets<ref name=":0" />
|-
| [[wikt:trifoliate|{{vanchor|trifoliate}}]]
| {{lang|la|trifoliatus}}
|-
| [[wikt:trifoliolate|{{vanchor|trifoliolate}}]]
| {{lang|la|trifoliolatus}}
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology tripinnate.png|100px]] || [[wikt:tripinnate|{{vanchor|tripinnate}}]] || {{lang|la|tripinnatus}} || Pinnately compound in which each leaflet is itself bipinnate<ref name=":0" />
|}

== Leaf and leaflet shapes ==
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 [[petal]]s, [[tepal]]s, and [[bract]]s.
[[File:Cilantro leaf.jpg|thumb|right|Oddly pinnate, pinnatifid leaves (''Coriandrum sativum'', [[coriander]] or cilantro)]]
[[File:Hibiscus mutabilis 5.JPG|thumb|Partial [[chlorosis]] revealing palmate [[Leaf#Venation|venation]] in simple leaves of ''[[Hibiscus mutabilis]]'']]
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="margin:auto; width:80%
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Image
! scope="col" | Term
! scope="col" | Latin
! scope="col" | Refers principally to
! scope="col" | Description
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology acicular.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|acicular}} || {{lang|la|acicularis}} || whole leaf || Slender and pointed, needle-like
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology acuminate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|acuminate}} || {{lang|la|acuminatus}} || leaf tip || Tapering to a long point in a concave manner
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Acute.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|acute}} || || leaf tip or base || Pointed, having a short sharp apex angled less than 90°
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Apiculate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|apiculate}} || {{Lang|la|apiculatus}} || leaf tip || Tapering and ending in a short, slender point
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology aristate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|aristate}} || {{lang|la|aristatus}} || leaf tip || Ending in a stiff, bristle-like point
|-
| || {{vanchor|asymmetrical}} || || whole leaf || With the blade shape different on each side of the midrib
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Attenuate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|attenuate}} || {{lang|la|attenuatus}}
| leaf base || Having leaf tissue taper down the petiole to a narrow base and always having some leaf material on each side of the petiole
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology base auriculate (cropped).png|100px]] || {{vanchor|auriculate}} || {{lang|la|auriculatus}}
| leaf base || Having ear-shaped appendages reaching beyond the attachment to the petiole or stem (in case of a seated leaf)
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Caudate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|caudate}} || {{lang|la|caudatus}} || leaf tip || Tailed at the apex
|-
|  || {{vanchor|cirrus}}, {{vanchor|cirrate}} || || leaf tip || Having a [[Rachis (botany)|rachis]] that extends beyond the leaf blade or leaflets into a long whip-like extension or cirrus (common in climbing palms); antonym: ''[[#ecirrate|ecirrate]]''
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology cordate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|cordate}}, {{vanchor|cordiform}} || {{lang|la|cordatus}} || whole leaf or base|| [[Heart (symbol)|Heart]]-shaped, with the petiole or stem attached to the notch
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology cuneate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|cuneate}} || {{lang|la|cuneatus}} || leaf base || Triangular, wedge-shaped, stem attaches to point
|-
|  || {{vanchor|cuneiform}} ||  || whole leaf || Narrowly triangular, widest on the opposite end from the stem, with the corners at that end rounded
|-
| [[File:Handdrawn Cuspidate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|cuspidate}} || {{lang|la|cuspidatus}} || leaf tip || With a sharp, elongated, rigid tip; tipped with a cusp
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology deltoid.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|deltoid}}, {{vanchor|deltate}} || {{lang|la|deltoideus}} || whole leaf || Shaped like the Greek letter ''[[Delta (letter)|delta]]''; triangular with stem attached to side
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology digitate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|digitate}} || {{lang|la|digitatus}} || whole leaf || A palmately compound leaf with leaflets, similar to [[#palmate|palmate]]<ref>Index of Garden Plants, Mark Griffiths, Timber Press, 1992</ref>
|-
|  || {{vanchor|ecirrate}} || || leaf tip || Without a [[#cirrus|cirrus]]; antonym: ''[[#cirrate|cirrate]]''
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology elliptic.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|elliptic}} || {{lang|la|ellipticus}} || whole leaf || Shaped like an [[ellipse]] (widest at mid-blade and with similar convex tapering towards apex and base), with a short or no point
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology apex emarginate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|emarginate}} || {{lang|la|emarginatus}}
| leaf tip || Slightly indented at the tip
|-
| [[File:Leaf_morphology_ensiforme.PNG|100px]] || {{vanchor|ensiform}} || {{lang|la|ensiformis}} || whole leaf || Shaped like a sword; long and narrow with a sharp pointed tip
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology falcate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|falcate}} || {{lang|la|falcatus}} || whole leaf || [[Sickle]]-shaped
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Fenestrate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|fenestrate}}|| {{lang|la|fenestratus}} || leaf surface features || Large openings through the leaf; see [[#perforate|perforate]]; sometimes used to describe leaf [[epidermal window]]s
|-
| [[File:Plant morphology solid filiform.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|filiform}} || {{lang|la|filiformis}} || whole leaf || Thread- or filament-shaped
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology flabelate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|flabellate}} || {{lang|la|flabellatus}} || whole leaf || Semi-circular or fan-like
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology hastate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|hastate}} || {{lang|la|hastatus}} || whole leaf or base || Spear-shaped: pointed, with barbs, shaped like a spear point, with flaring pointed lobes at the base
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology division laciniate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|laciniate}} ||''lacinatus''
| whole leaf || Very deeply lobed with the lobes being very drawn out and often making the leaf look somewhat like a branch or a pitchfork
|-
| || {{vanchor|laminar}} || ||3-D shape || Flat (like most leaves)
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology lanceolate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|lanceolate}} || {{lang|la|lanceolatus}} || whole leaf || Long, wider in the middle, shaped like a [[lance]] tip
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology linear.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|linear}} || {{lang|la|linearis}} || whole leaf || Long and very narrow like a blade of grass
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology lobed.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|lobed}} || {{lang|la|lobatus}} || whole leaf || Being divided by clefts; may be [[#pinnately|pinnately lobed]] or [[#palmately lobed|palmately lobed]]
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Lorate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|lorate}} || {{lang|la|loratus}} || whole leaf || Having the form of a thong or strap
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Lyrate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|lyrate}} || {{lang|la|lyratus}} || whole leaf || Shaped like a [[lyre]], [[#pinnately lobed|pinnately lobed]] leaf with an enlarged terminal lobe and smaller lateral lobes. ''See also [[List of lyrate plants]]''.
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Mucronate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|mucronate}} ||''mucronatus''
| leaf tip || Ending abruptly in a small sharp point as a continuation of the midrib<ref>[http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Mucronate&gwp=13 Mucronate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215034/http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Mucronate&gwp=13 |date=2016-03-03 }}, Answers.com, from Roget's Thesaurus.</ref>
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology multifide.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|multifid}} || {{lang|la|multi}} + {{lang|la|findere}} || whole leaf || Cleft into many parts or lobes
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology obcordate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|obcordate}} || {{lang|la|obcordatus}} || whole leaf || [[Heart (symbol)|Heart]]-shaped, stem attaches at the tapering end
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology oblanceolate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|oblanceolate}} || {{lang|la|oblanceolatus}} || whole leaf || Much longer than wide and with the widest portion near the tip; reversed lanceolate
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology oblique.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|oblique}} || || leaf base || Asymmetrical leaf base, with one side lower than the other
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology oblong.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|oblong}} || {{lang|la|oblongus}} || whole leaf || Having an elongated form with slightly parallel sides; roughly rectangular
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology obovate.png|72px]] || {{vanchor|obovate}} || {{lang|la|obovatus}} || whole leaf || Teardrop-shaped, stem attaches to the tapering end; reversed ovate
|-
| || {{vanchor|obtrullate}} || || whole leaf || Reversed trullate; the longer sides meet at the base rather than the apex.
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology obtuse.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|obtuse}} || {{lang|la|obtusus}} || leaf tip or base || Blunt, forming an angle > 90°
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology orbicular.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|orbicular}} || {{lang|la|orbicularis}} || whole leaf || Circular
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology ovale.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|ovate}} || {{lang|la|ovatus}} || whole leaf || Egg-shaped, with a tapering point and the widest portion near the petiole
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology palmate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|palmate}} || {{lang|la|palmatus}} || whole leaf || Palm-shaped, i.e. with lobes or leaflets stemming from the leaf base<ref>{{cite web | url = http://glossary.gardenweb.com/glossary/palmate.html | title = palmate (adj. palmately) | year=2006 | work = GardenWeb Glossary of Botanical Terms |publisher=iVillage GardenWeb | access-date = 19 October 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213124631/http://glossary.gardenweb.com:80/glossary/palmate.html | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref><!-- Please add more latest web sources if you can -->
|-
| [[Image:Palmatilobé.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|palmately lobed}} || {{lang|la|palmatus}} || whole leaf || Lobes spread radially from a point<ref>{{Cite web|last1= Nelson |first1=Randal C. |url=https://www.cs.rochester.edu/~nelson/wildflowers/glossaries/leaves/index.html#lobed |title=Leaf description glossary |year= 2009 |orig-date=2012 |website=University of Rochester |access-date=2 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801032721/https://www.cs.rochester.edu/~nelson/wildflowers/glossaries/leaves/index.html |archive-date=1 August 2020 | url-status = dead}}</ref><!-- Please add more latest web sources if you can -->
|-
| [[Image:Palmatifide.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|palmatifid}} || {{lang|la|palma}} + {{lang|la|findere}} || whole leaf || Palm-shaped, having lobes with incisions that extend less than halfway toward the petiole
|-
| [[Image:Palmatipartite.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|palmatipartite}} || {{lang|la|palma}} + {{lang|la|partiri}} || whole leaf || Having palmate lobes with incisions that extend over halfway toward the petiole
|-
| [[Image:Palmatiséquée.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|palmatisect}} || {{lang|la|palma}} + {{lang|la|secare}} || whole leaf || Having palmate lobes with incisions that extend almost up, but not quite to the petiole.
|-
| [[Image:Leaf morphology pandurate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|pandurate}} ||''panduratus''
| whole leaf || Fiddle-shaped; obovate with a constriction near the middle.
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology pedate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|pedate}} || {{lang|la|pedatus}} || whole leaf || Palmate, with cleft lobes<ref>{{cite book |last1= Nicholson |first1= George |last2= Garret|first2= John|last3= Trail |first3= JWH|date=1887–1889 |title= The Illustrated Dictionary of Gardening |location= London |publisher= L. Upcott Gill |isbn=978-1436572316
}}</ref>
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology peltate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|peltate}} || {{lang|la|peltatus}} || stem attachment || A round leaf where the petiole attaches near the center, e.g. a [[Nelumbo|lotus]] leaf
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology attachment connate-perfoliate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|perfoliate}} || {{lang|la|perfoliatus}} || stem attachment || With the leaf blade surrounding the stem such that the stem appears to pass through the leaf
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology Perforate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|perforate}} || {{lang|la|perforatus}} || leaf surface features
| Many holes, or [[perforate leaf|perforations]], on leaf surface. Compare with [[#fenestrate|fenestrate]].
|-
| [[File:Pennatilobé.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|pinnately lobed}}<span class="anchor" id="pinnately"></span><!--was pinnately with lobed outside of vanchor--> || {{lang|la|pinna}} + {{lang|la|lobus}} || whole leaf || Having lobes pinnately arranged on the central axis
|-
| [[File:Pennatifide.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|pinnatifid}} || {{lang|la|pinna}} + {{lang|la|findere}} || whole leaf || Having lobes with incisions that extend less than halfway to the midrib
|-
| [[Image:Pennatipartite2.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|pinnatipartite}} || {{lang|la|pinnatus}} + {{lang|la|partiri}} || whole leaf || Having lobes with incisions that extend more than halfway to the midrib
|-
| [[Image:Pennatiséquée.svg|100px]] || {{vanchor|pinnatisect}} || {{lang|la|pinnatus}} + {{lang|la|sectus}} || whole leaf || Having lobes with incisions that extend almost to, or up to, the midrib
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology reniform.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|reniform}} || {{lang|la|reniformis}} || whole leaf || Shaped like a [[kidney]], with an inward curve on one side
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology apex retuse.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|retuse}} || || leaf tip || With a shallow notch in a round apex
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology rhomboid.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|rhomboid}}, {{vanchor|rhombic}} || {{lang|la|rhomboidalis}} || whole leaf || Diamond-shaped
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology apex rounded.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|rounded}} || {{lang|la|rotundifolius}} || leaf tip or base || Circular, no distinct point
|-
| || semiterete || || 3-D shape || Rounded on one side and flat on the other
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology spear-shaped.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|sagittate}} || {{lang|la|sagittatus}} || whole leaf || [[Arrowhead]]-shaped with the lower lobes folded, or curled downward
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology spatulate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|spatulate}} || {{lang|la|spathulatus}} || whole leaf || Spoon-shaped; having a broad flat end which tapers to the base
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology hastate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|spear}}-shaped || {{lang|la|hastatus}}
| whole leaf || See [[#hastate|hastate]].
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology subobtuse.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|subobtuse}} || {{lang|la|subobtusus}} || leaf tip or base || Somewhat blunted; neither blunt nor sharp
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology subulate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|subulate}} || {{lang|la|subulatus}} || leaf tip || [[Bradawl|Awl]]-shaped with a tapering point
|-
| [[File:Plant morphology solid terete.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|[[terete]]}} || || 3-D shape || Cylindrical with a circular or distorted circular cross-section and a single surface wrapping around it with no grooves or ridges. Subterete means the leaves are not completely terete, as seen in various [[lichens]] and [[succulents]].
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology trullate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|trullate}} || || whole leaf || Shaped like a [[masonry trowel]]
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology truncate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|truncate}} || {{lang|la|truncatus}} || leaf tip or base || With a squared-off end
|-
| || {{vanchor|undulate}} || {{lang|la|undulatus}} || 3-D shape || Wave-like
|-
| [[File:Leaf morphology unifoliate.png|100px]] || {{vanchor|unifoliate}} || {{lang|la|unifoliatus}} || compound leaves || With a single leaflet; it is distinct from a simple leaf by the presence of two [[Abscission (botany)|abscission layers]] and often by [[petiolule]]s and [[stipel]]s.
|}

== Edge ==
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.

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="margin:auto; width:80%
|-
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Image
! scope="col" | Term
! scope="col" | Latin
! scope="col" | Description
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology entire.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Entire}}{{anchor|entire}}entire||''Forma''<br />''integra''||Even; with a smooth margin; without toothing
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology ciliate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Ciliate}}{{anchor|ciliate}}ciliate||''ciliatus''||Fringed with hairs
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology crenate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Crenate}}{{anchor|crenate}}crenate||''crenatus''||Wavy-toothed; dentate with rounded teeth
|-
| || |{{anchor|Crenulate}}{{anchor|crenulate}}crenulate || ''crenulatus'' || Finely crenate
|-
| || |{{anchor|Crisped}}{{anchor|crisped}}crisped || ''crispus'' || Curly
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology dentate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Dentate}}{{anchor|dentate}}dentate||''dentatus''||Toothed; 
may be {{anchor|coarsely dentate}}'''coarsely dentate''', having large teeth

or {{anchor|glandular dentate}}'''glandular dentate''', having teeth which bear glands
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology denticulate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Denticulate}}{{anchor|denticulate}}denticulate||''denticulatus''||Finely toothed
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology doubly serrate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Doubly serrate}}{{anchor|doubly serrate}}doubly serrate||''duplicato-dentatus''||Each tooth bearing smaller teeth
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology serrate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Serrate}}{{anchor|serrate}}serrate||''serratus''||Saw-toothed; with asymmetrical teeth pointing forward
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology serrulate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Serrulate}}{{anchor|serrulate}}serrulate||''serrulatus''||Finely serrate
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology sinuate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Sinuate}}{{anchor|sinuate}}sinuate||''sinuosus''||With deep, wave-like indentations; coarsely crenate
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology lobate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Lobate}}{{anchor|lobate}}lobate||''lobatus''||Indented, with the indentations not reaching the center
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology undulate.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Undulate}}{{anchor|undulate}}undulate||''undulatus''||With a wavy edge, shallower than sinuate
|-
|[[file:Leaf morphology spiny.png|100px]]||{{anchor|Spiny}}{{anchor|spiny}}spiny or {{anchor|pungent}}pungent||''spiculatus''||With stiff, sharp points such as [[thistle]]s
|}

== Leaf folding ==
Leaves may also be folded, sculpted or rolled in various ways. If the leaves are initially folded in the bud, but later unrolls  it is called [[vernation]], [[wikt:ptyxis|ptyxis]] is the folding of an individual leaf in a bud.
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="margin:auto; width:80%
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Image
! scope="col" | Term
! scope="col" | Latin
! scope="col" | Description
|-
| |  || {{vanchor|carinate}} or keeled || ''carinatus'' || With a longitudinal ridge, [[keel]]-shaped
|-
| [[File:Peperomia dolabriformis.jpg|100px]]  || {{vanchor|conduplicate}} || || Folded upwards, with the surfaces close to parallel
|-
| |[[File:Mimetes fimbrifolius (5211424654).jpg|100px]] || {{vanchor|cucullate}} ||  || Forming a hood, margins and tip curved downward
|-
| |[[File:Involute_vernation.jpg|100px]] || {{vanchor|involute}} || || Rolled upwards (towards the adaxial surface)
|-
| [[File:Palm leaf washingtonia robusta.jpg|100px]] || {{vanchor|plicate}} || ''plicatus'' || With parallel folds
|-
| |  || {{vanchor|reduplicate}} || || Folded downwards, with the surfaces close to parallel
|-
| [[File:Ledum groenlandicum.jpg|100px]] || {{vanchor|revolute}} || || Rolled downwards (towards the abaxial surface)
|-
| |  || {{vanchor|supervolute}} || || Opposing left and right halves of lamina folded along longitudinal axis, with one half rolled completely within the other
|}

==Latin descriptions==
The Latin word for 'leaf', {{lang|la|folium}}, is neuter. In descriptions of a single leaf, the neuter singular ending of the adjective is used, e.g. {{lang|la|folium lanceolatum}} 'lanceolate leaf', {{lang|la|folium lineare}} 'linear leaf'. In descriptions of multiple leaves, the neuter plural is used, e.g. {{lang|la|folia linearia}} 'linear leaves'. Descriptions commonly refer to the plant using the ablative singular or plural, e.g. {{lang|la|foliis ovatis}} 'with ovate leaves'.{{sfnp|Stearn|2004|pp=439–440}}

==See also==
* [[Glossary of botanical terms]]
* [[Glossary of plant morphology]]
* [[Cladophyll]]s are leaf-like petioles
* [[Leaf size]]
* [[Sinus (botany)|Sinus]]
* [[Leaflet (botany)]] and [[Rachis]]
* [[Petiole (botany)]] and [[Plant stem]]
* [[Phylloclade]]s are flattened stems that resemble leaves
* [[Pinnation]]
* [[Plant morphology]]
* [[Taxonomy (biology)]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |first=W.T. |last=Stearn |year=2004 |title=Botanical Latin |edition=4th (p/b) |location=Portland, Oregon |isbn=978-0-7153-1643-6 |publisher=Timber Press }}
* {{cite web|title=Leaves|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/botnet/glossary/a_v.html}}, in {{harvtxt|Massey|Murphy|1996}}
* {{cite web|title=Shapes|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/botnet/glossary/b_iii.html}}, in {{harvtxt|Massey|Murphy|1996}}
* {{cite web|last1=Massey|first1=Jimmy R.|last2=Murphy|first2=James C.|title=Vascular plant systematics|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/botnet/glossary/|website=NC Botnet|publisher=University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|access-date=19 January 2016|date=1996}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.cs.rochester.edu/users/faculty/nelson/wildflowers/glossaries/leaves/index.html#shape The Description of Leaves, University of Rochester]
* [http://www.virtualherbarium.org/glossary/glossary.php?cid=29 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160222055914/http://www.vplants.org/plants/glossary/plate03.html Vplants]
* [http://waynesword.palomar.edu/termlf2.htm Botany 115] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228221759/http://waynesword.palomar.edu/termlf2.htm |date=2015-12-28 }}
* [http://theseedsite.co.uk/leafshapes.html The seed site]

{{commons|Category:Leaf margins}}
{{commons|Category:Leaf diagrams|position=left}}

[[Category:Glossaries of botany|Leaf morphology]]
[[Category:Leaf morphology]]
[[Category:Wikipedia glossaries using tables]]