In
botany there are many terms, usually derived from Latin,
used to describe the shape of a plant
leaf.
The following are some of the basic ones dealing with
leaf blade shapes - General overwiew:
Acicular: Having the shape of a needle
Cuneate: Broad and
truncate at the summit, narrowly
triangular, and tapering toward the
base;
Deltoid: Triangular in outline, suggesting a capital
delta.
Lanceolate: Lance-shaped, tapering from a broad
base to an
apex; much longer than wide
Ovate: Egg-shaped with the broadest part toward the base
(note that obovate is the reverse relative)
Obovate: Stem attaches to tapering point
petiole attachment to the blade)
Cordate: Heart shaped with a basal
sinus.
Peltate: Shield shaped with the petiole not attached at
the
blade margin (peltata): Rounded, stem underneath
Scale leaf: Small sharp-pointed
leaf with a broad
base. They usually overlap on the
stem.
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