· External leaf characteristics (such as shape, margin, hairs, etc.) are important for identifying plant species
· Leaves are determinant in growth i.e. they grow and achieve a specific pattern and shape, then stop
· Other plant parts like stems or roots are non-determinant
· Leaves are classified on the basis of:
§ Arrangement on the stem
§ Alternate, opposite, whorled, rosulate,
§ Divisions of the lamina
§ Simple leaves, compound leaves (palmately compound leaves, pinnately compound leaves, binately compound leaves)
§ Leaf margin
§ Entire, ciliate, crenate, dentate, denticulate, doubly toothed, lobate, serrate, serrulate, lanceolate)
§ Leaf Apex
§ Acuminate, acute, cuspidate, ermaginate, obtuse, obcordate, mucronate,
§ Leaf base
§ Acuminte, acute, cordate, cuneate,
§ Surface of the leaf
§ Farinose, glabrouse, verucose, viscid, pubescent, hirsute, glandular)
§ Leaf Apex
§ Acuminate, acute, cuspidate, ermaginate, obtuse, obcordate, mucronate,
§ Leaf base
§ Acuminte, acute, cordate, cuneate,
§ Surface of the leaf
§ Farinose, glabrouse, verucose, viscid, pubescent, hirsute, glandular)
References
Evans, W. C. (2009). Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy. India: Reed Elsevier Limited.
