By: Kelli Dantin

Science the Montessori Way

Wall Chart

Wall Chart

Wall Chart

Booklet: Leaf Shapes

Acicular

A simple leaf shaped like a needle. Often times they are several times longer than

wide and end sharply at the apex.

Acuminate

A simple leaf that is classified by the shape of the apex. It narrows or tapers to a short point

at the apex.

Alternate

A leaf characterization dictated by the posi-tion on the stem. In this case, leaves grow one per node at different levels of the stem.

4-part Cards: Leaf Shapes

Acicular

A simple leaf shaped like a needle. Often times they are several times longer than wide

and end sharply at the apex.

Acuminate

A simple leaf that is classified by the shape of the apex. It narrows or tapers to a short point

at the apex.

Alternate

A leaf characterization dictated by the posi-tion on the stem. In this case, leaves grow one per node at different levels of the stem.

Bi-pinnate

Cordate Cuneate

Aristate

A simple leaf characterized by an apex having a ratio greater than 3:1 that is usually pro-

longed, straight and stiff.

A simple leaf characterized by the base of the leaf. It is wedge shaped with an base that

forms a point.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the base of the leaf. It is a heart shaped leaf in

which the petiole attaches to the cleft.

Pinnately compound leaves in which the leaflets are pinnately compound. They often

have a feathery appearance.

Bi-pinnate

Cordate Cuneate

Aristate

A simple leaf characterized by an apex having a ratio greater than 3:1 that is usually pro-

longed, straight and stiff.

A simple leaf characterized by the base of the leaf. It is wedge shaped with an base that

forms a point.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the base of the leaf. It is a heart shaped leaf in

which the petiole attaches to the cleft.

Pinnately compound leaves in which the leaflets are pinnately compound. They often

have a feathery appearance.

Digitate

Elliptic Even Pinnate

Deltoid

A simple leaf that is triangular shaped leaf with petiole attached to a side.

A compound leaf with leaflets forming two rows (pinnate) that is distinguished by two

leaflets at the tip.

A simple leaf that is elliptical in shape, nor-mally twice as long as it is thick. Its apex has

a very short to non-existent point.

A compound leaf characterized by the posi-tion of the leaflets, which are arranged in

the shape of a hand.

Digitate

Elliptic Even Pinnate

Deltoid

A simple leaf that is triangular shaped leaf with petiole attached to a side.

A compound leaf with leaflets forming two rows (pinnate) that is distinguished by two

leaflets at the tip.

A simple leaf that is elliptical in shape, nor-mally twice as long as it is thick. Its apex has

a very short to non-existent point.

A compound leaf characterized by the posi-tion of the leaflets, which are arranged in

the shape of a hand.

Flabellate

Hastate Lanceolate

Falcate

A simple leaf that is hooked or sickle shaped. It has one convex and one concave margin.

A simple leaf characterized based on the shape of the base and apex, both of which taper to a point. Named for its lance-head

shape.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It is shaped like a spear-head. It has long, narrow margins with flaring basal

lobes that point outwards.

A simple leaf with a semicircular or fan shape.

Flabellate

Hastate Lanceolate

Falcate

A simple leaf that is hooked or sickle shaped. It has one convex and one concave margin.

A simple leaf characterized based on the shape of the base and apex, both of which taper to a point. Named for its lance-head

shape.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It is shaped like a spear-head. It has long, narrow margins with flaring basal

lobes that point outwards.

A simple leaf with a semicircular or fan shape.

Lobed

Obcordate Obovate

Linear

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins. They are long and narrow

with the two sides being parallel.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its egg shape. The apex is the larger rounder por-tion, while the base is smaller and pointer.

A simple leaf characterized by the apex shape and the base. It is heart shaped with a cleft

apex and pointed base.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margins, which are severely indented, but not to the point that the indention reaches the cen-

ter of the leaf.

Lobed

Obcordate Obovate

Linear

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins. They are long and narrow

with the two sides being parallel.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its egg shape. The apex is the larger rounder por-tion, while the base is smaller and pointer.

A simple leaf characterized by the apex shape and the base. It is heart shaped with a cleft

apex and pointed base.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margins, which are severely indented, but not to the point that the indention reaches the cen-

ter of the leaf.

Odd Pinnate

Opposite Orbiculate

Obtuse

A simple leaf that is characterized based on the shape of the apex of the leaf, which is

rounded or blunt.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its circu-

lar or nearly circular shape.

A leaf characterization dictated by the posi-tion on the stem. In this case two leaves are paired and connect at each node, opposite

each other.

A compound leaf named for the arrange-ment of its leaflets on there petiole. The leaflets are pinnate with one leaflet at the

tip.

Odd Pinnate

Opposite Orbiculate

Obtuse

A simple leaf that is characterized based on the shape of the apex of the leaf, which is

rounded or blunt.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its circu-

lar or nearly circular shape.

A leaf characterization dictated by the posi-tion on the stem. In this case two leaves are paired and connect at each node, opposite

each other.

A compound leaf named for the arrange-ment of its leaflets on there petiole. The leaflets are pinnate with one leaflet at the

tip.

Palmate

Pedate Peltate

Ovate

A simple leaf characterized by shape of the margin, which is egg shaped. It is narrower at

the apex and broader at the base.

A simple leaf characterized by the flat circular blade attached to the stem at the center of the

blade rather than at the edge of the margin.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It has palmately divided lobes with

lateral lobes that are cleft or divided.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins, which are shaped like the hand with the fingers extended. The lobes

radiate from a single point.

Palmate

Pedate Peltate

Ovate

A simple leaf characterized by shape of the margin, which is egg shaped. It is narrower at

the apex and broader at the base.

A simple leaf characterized by the flat circular blade attached to the stem at the center of the

blade rather than at the edge of the margin.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It has palmately divided lobes with

lateral lobes that are cleft or divided.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins, which are shaped like the hand with the fingers extended. The lobes

radiate from a single point.

Pinnatisect

Reniform Rhomboid

Perfoliate

A simple leaf that is characterized by stem location, in which the leaf appears to be

pierced by the stem.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which has a rhombus or diamond

shape.

A simple leaf characterized by its kidney shape.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which is lobed deeply in a pin-nate pattern, although it does not actually

form separate leaflets.

Pinnatisect

Reniform Rhomboid

Perfoliate

A simple leaf that is characterized by stem location, in which the leaf appears to be

pierced by the stem.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which has a rhombus or diamond

shape.

A simple leaf characterized by its kidney shape.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which is lobed deeply in a pin-nate pattern, although it does not actually

form separate leaflets.

Spatulate

Spearshaped Subulate

Rossete

A compound leaf characterized by leaflets that grow in crowded circles from a common

center or crown.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade. It has a long slender blade, which

is tapers to a point at the apex.

A simple leaf, which has a spear shaped blade. The apex is pointed, while the base

has barbed lobes.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade, which is spatula shaped. The

blade has a broad rounded apex and narrow base.

Spatulate

Spearshaped Subulate

Rossete

A compound leaf characterized by leaflets that grow in crowded circles from a common

center or crown.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade. It has a long slender blade, which

is tapers to a point at the apex.

A simple leaf, which has a spear shaped blade. The apex is pointed, while the base

has barbed lobes.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade, which is spatula shaped. The

blade has a broad rounded apex and narrow base.

Tripinnate

Truncate Whorled

Trifolate

A compound leaf characterized by the exis-tence of three leaflets.

A compound leaf in which there are three or more leaves at each node in a circular pattern

around the stem.

A simple leaf that is characterized by a base which appears to terminate abruptly.

A compound leaf in which the pinnate divi-sions are further divided into three pinnate

sets of leaflets.

Tripinnate

Truncate Whorled

Trifolate

A compound leaf characterized by the exis-tence of three leaflets.

A compound leaf in which there are three or more leaves at each node in a circular pattern

around the stem.

A simple leaf that is characterized by a base which appears to terminate abruptly.

A compound leaf in which the pinnate divi-sions are further divided into three pinnate

sets of leaflets.

Ciliate

Crenate Dentate

Margins

The border of a leaf.

A leaf with a border or edge having “tooth-like” projections.

A leaf having a border or edge that is scal-loped, a series of curved projections.

A leaf having a border or edge with hair like projections.

Booklet: Leaf Margins

Ciliate

Crenate Dentate

Margins

The border of a leaf.

A leaf with a border or edge having “tooth-like” projections.

A leaf having a border or edge that is scal-loped, a series of curved projections.

A leaf having a border or edge with hair like projections.

4-part Cards: Leaf Margins

Doubly Serrate

Entire Lobate

Denticulate

A leaf having a finely toothed margin.

A leaf having a border or edge which is lobed, or having large rounded projections.

A leaf having a border or edge which is smooth having no notches or indentations.

A leaf having a border or edge having smaller serratures upon larger ones.

Doubly Serrate

Entire Lobate

Denticulate

A leaf having a finely toothed margin.

A leaf having a border or edge which is lobed, or having large rounded projections.

A leaf having a border or edge which is smooth having no notches or indentations.

A leaf having a border or edge having smaller serratures upon larger ones.

Serrulate

Sinute Spiny

Serrate

A leaf having an edge or border notched like a saw with teeth like projections pointing toward

the apex.

A leaf having an edge or border having spine or thorn projections.

A leaf having an edge or border having a wavy indention.

A leaf having an edge or border that is mi-nutely serrate.

Serrulate

Sinute Spiny

Serrate

A leaf having an edge or border notched like a saw with teeth like projections pointing toward

the apex.

A leaf having an edge or border having spine or thorn projections.

A leaf having an edge or border having a wavy indention.

A leaf having an edge or border that is mi-nutely serrate.

Venation

Arcuate Cross Venulate

Undulated

A leaf having an edge or border having a smooth wavy outline.

A leaf having small veins connecting secon-dary veins.

A leaf having veins which are curved.

The shape, or arrangement, of the veins of a leaf.

Booklet Cards: Leaf Venation

Venation

Arcuate Cross Venulate

Undulated

A leaf having an edge or border having a smooth wavy outline.

A leaf having small veins connecting secon-dary veins.

A leaf having veins which are curved.

The shape, or arrangement, of the veins of a leaf.

4-part Cards: Leaf Venation

Longitudinal

Palmate Parallel

Dichotomous

A leaf having veins which branch symmetri-cally in pairs.

A leaf having veins arranged axially not inter-secting.

A leaf having several primary veins radiating from a point.

A leaf having veins aligned mostly along the long axis of the leaf.

Longitudinal

Palmate Parallel

Dichotomous

A leaf having veins which branch symmetri-cally in pairs.

A leaf having veins arranged axially not inter-secting.

A leaf having several primary veins radiating from a point.

A leaf having veins aligned mostly along the long axis of the leaf.

Reticulate

Rotate Label

Pinnate

A leaf having secondary veins paired oppo-sitely.

Definition Veins radiating in peltate leaves.

A leaf having smaller veins forming an net-work.

Reticulate

Rotate Label

Pinnate

A leaf having secondary veins paired oppo-sitely.

Definition Veins radiating in peltate leaves.

A leaf having smaller veins forming an net-work.