The Red Fir Forest

Leaf Shape Terms

Leaf Shape

Ovate Ovate leaves are shaped like an egg, with the broader end of the leaf nearest the petiole. Pennyroyal and Mountain Spiraea leaves tend to be ovate.

Obovate Obovate leaves are shaped like an egg, with the broader end of the leaf farthest from the petiole. Mountain Pride leaves and Mousetail Ivesia petals are obovate.

Spatulate Spatulate leaves are broadly rounded at the apex and gradually curve down toward the base. Pussy Paws and Lambstongue Groundsel provide examples of spatulate leaves.

Round Round leaves are broadly rounded at the apex and the base. Mountain Jewel Flower has rounded leaves and Mousetail Ivesia has rounded petals.

Cordate Cordate leaves are shaped like hearts. The stem is attached at the wide end of the leaf. Yellow Pond-lily and Spreading Dogbane have heart-shaped leaves.

Obcordate Obcordate leaves are shaped like hearts. The stem is attached at the narrow end of the leaf. Drummond's Cinquefoil has heart-shaped petals.

Elliptic Elliptic leaves are about twice as long as broad. The broadest part is in the middle and the two ends narrow equally. Corn Lily and Spreading Dogbane leaves are often elliptic.

Lanceolate Lanceolate leaves are significantly longer than wide and widest below the middle, gradually tapering toward the apex. The Stickseed and Elephanthead Lousewort leaves are lanceolate.

Oblanceolate Obanceolate leaves are significantly longer than wide and widest above the middle, gradually wideninging toward the apex. Alpine Shooting Star and Whitney's Dealbata leaves are oblanceolate.

Oblong Oblong leaves almost resemble a rectangle, except that their corners are rounded. They are at least twice as long as they are wide. Shaggy Hawkweed and Anderson's Thistle leaves are oblong.

Linear Linear leaves are more than twelve times longer than wide. They are long and narrow with more or less parallel margins or sides. The Alpine Shooting Star, Whorled Penstemon and Pearly Everlasting have linear leaves.

Needlelike Needlelike leaves are like needles. Needle Navarretia and Red Heather have needlelike leaves.