Leaf Types - Shapes - Arrangements - Characteristics

Broad-lanceolate: Shaped like a lance, the leaf about 5 times longer than wide, pointed at end.

Concolorous: The leaf is the same color on both sides.

Connate: Opposite leaves are jointed around the stem.

Cordate: The leaf is shaped like a heart.  The "wide" part of the heart attaches to the leaf stem.

Discolorous: Where the upper leaf surface is darker in color than the lower leaf surface.

Dull: The leaf surface is NOT glossy.

Elliptic: Leaf tapered evenly at each end and broadest in the middle, can be rounded or pointed at end.

Emarginate: A shallow "notch" at the leaf tip.  Much like a wide shaped heart.

Falcate: Leaf is sickle shaped. Like a very long, narrow "C".

Glaucous: Refers to a white, waxy substance that can usually be rubbed off.  May be on the leaves, nuts or stems.  Also refers to bluish gray color.

Glossy: Refers to a leaf surface being shiny.

Lanceolate: Shaped like a lance, pointed on the end.

Linear: Very narrow, the sides are parallel or slightly curved, usually about 12 times longer than wide.

Mucronate: Ending in a short point.

Narrow lanceolate: Leaf is long and thin, about 8 times longer than wide, finely pointed at tip.

Oblique: The two halves of the leaf blade meet at different points on the stem.

Obovate: The reverse of ovate, broader near the apex.

Obvoid: Egg-shaped with the larger cross-section towards the apex.

Orbicular: Rounded leaf, almost like a circle.

Ovate: Refers to a shape of a leaf, egg-shaped and widest near the base of the leaf, pointed at the end.

Peltate: The petiole (leaf stem) is attached to the "underside" of the leaf. (Corymbia citriodora)

Petiolate: With a leaf stalk.

Reticulation: Refers to the pattern of the leaf veins, may be dense or sparse.

Sessile: Without a leaf stalk.

Undulate: Having a wavy surface.