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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University of Florida © 2012

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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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