Leaf Terminology

Leaf Edge

Apex (tip)

Base

• Acuminate; Coming to a sharp, narrow, prolonged point.
• Acute’ Coming to a sharp, but not prolonged point.
• Auriculate’ Ear-shaped.
• Cordate; Heart-shaped with the notch towards the stalk.
• Cuneate’ Wedge-shaped.
• Hastate’ Shaped like an halberd and with the basal lobes pointing outward.
• Oblique’ Slanting.
• Reniform’ Kidney-shaped but rounder and broader than long.
• Rounded’ Curving shape.
• Sagittate; Shaped like an arrowhead and with the acute basal lobes pointing downward.
• Truncate’ Ending abruptly with a flat end, that looks cut off.

Surface

The leaf surface is also host to a large variety of microorganisms; in this context it is referred to as the phyllosphere.

Hairiness:

Timing

Hysteranthous; Developing after the flowers

Synanthous; Developing at the same time as the flowers

Venation

See Leaf Venation