Leaf Shapes
Leaf Margins
terete subulate linear lanceolate oblanceolate elliptic oblong spatulate ovate
obovate deltoidrhomboid orbicular hastate sagittate reniform
entire undulateserrate crenate laceratedenticulatedentate serrulate sinuate lobed revolute
Leaf Bases
cuneate rounded truncate
sagittate
cordate
attenuate
acute oblique
hastatestem-clasping peltate perfoliate
Illustrated Plant Structures
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opposite alternate alternate spiral
Leaf Arrangements
Compound Leaves
even pinnate bipinnateodd pinnatetrifoliate digitate
Habit
Leaf Attachments
whorled (3+ leaves at node)
rosette (leaves radiate from
center close to ground)
palmate
ascending erect sprawling climbing creeping
peltate petiolate (stalked) sessile clasping sheath
Leaf Tips
acuminate acute rounded emarginate obcordate cuspidate mucronateobtusetruncate
palmate
simple leaf (one blade)
compound leaf (see more below)
rachis
stempinna(lea�et)
plural = pinnae
pinnules (sublea�et)
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Roots
Stems
Flower Parts
cormbulb tubers
dicot monocot rhizome stolon
cross sectionbird’s eye view
tip (apex)
margin
vein
stalk (petiole)axillary bud
ovary
ovules
petal
sepal
pistil
stamen
perianth
calyx = all sepals combined
corolla = all petals
combined
bulblet
perianth
pistil
stamen
sepalpetal
anther
stigmastyle
stipule bud
midrib
stem
node
axilinternode
node
blade (leaf )
culm
blade
node
sheath
(below ground)
(above ground)
tap secondary
primary
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Habit
ascending erect
sprawling
climbing creeping
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Leaf Shapes
Leaf Margins
terete subulate linear lanceolate oblanceolate elliptic oblong spatulate
ovate obovate deltoidrhomboid orbicular hastate sagittate reniform
entire serrate crenatedenticulatedentate serrulate
undulatelacerate sinuate lobed revolute
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Leaf Tips
obcordate cuspidate mucronate
acuminate acute rounded
emarginateobtusetruncate
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Leaf Attachments
Leaf Bases
peltate petiolate (stalked)
sessile
clasping
sheath
cuneate rounded truncate (squared)
sagittate
cordate
attenuate
acute
oblique hastatestem-clasping
peltate perfoliate
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Leaf Arrangements
opposite alternate alternate spiral
whorled (3+ leaves at node) rosette
(leaves radiate from center close to ground)
palmate
simple leaf (one blade)
compound leaf (see compound leaves page for more)
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Compound Leaves
even pinnate
bipinnate
odd pinnatetrifoliate
digitate palmate
rachis
stem
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pinna(lea�et)
plural = pinnae
pinnules (sublea�et)
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Roots
corm
bulb
tubers
bulblet
�brous
tap
�eshy
secondary
primary
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Stems
dicot monocot
tip (apex)
margin
vein
stalk (petiole)axillary bud
stipule bud
midrib
stem
node
axilinternode
node
blade (leaf )
culm
blade
node
sheath
rhizome stolon(below ground)
(above ground)
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Flower Parts
bird’s eye view
cross section
ovary
ovules
perianth
pistil
stamen
sepalpetal
anther
stigmastyle
petal
sepal
pistilstamen
perianth
calyx = all sepals combined
corolla = all petals combined
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