Leaf Shape

LEAF SHAPES
There are many different leaf shapes in nature. What follows in this tutorial are the most common leaf shapes.

Ovate
An Ovate leaf is described as being broadest below the middle, and roughly 2x as long as it is wide.

A way to remember this leaf is that it is "egg-shaped.

Obovate
An Obovate leaf is described as being broadest above the middle, and roughly 2x as long as it is wide.

An Obovate leaf is the reverse of Ovate.

Lanceolate
A Lanceolate leaf is at least 3x longer than wide, and broadest below middle.

Oblanceolate
Oblanceolate leaves are at least 3x longer than wide, but broadest above middle.

An Oblanceolate leaf is the reverse of a Lanceolate leaf.

Cordate
Leaves that are Cordate-shaped have leaves that are broad to the point and then turn upwards at the base, forming a notch.

Cordate leaves are "heart-shaped."

Obcordate
Obcordate leaves are the reverse of Cordate leaves. They start at a point and then widen until they form a notch at the apex.

Elliptical
Elliptical leaves have the broadest width in the middle and then taper off at the ends.

Another way to remember this leaf shape is to think of it as "football-shaped."

Oblong

Oblong leaves are 2-3x as long as wide and have parallel sides.

Cuneate
Cuneate leaves have a small width at base, but then a broad width near the top before the apex.

Cuneate leaves are "wedge-shaped."

Linear
Linear leaves are narrow, are at least 4x longer than wide, and have the same width throughout.

Peltate
Peltate leaves are rounded with the petiole attached underneath the base of the leaf.

Peltate leaves are shaped like little shields.

Spatulate
Spatulate leaves are narrow for almost the entire leaf, but then have an abrupt round structure at the apex.

Spatulate leaves have a similar shape to a spatula.

Reniform
Reniform leaves are broad and wider than they are high.

Peltate leaves are shaped like kidneys.

Hastate
Hastate leaves are very recognizable. They are taper off at three apexes and are arrowheadshaped.

Review
Before you take the quiz, you might want to review for it using the following activities. In the Flash Card Activity, the leaf Shape will be hidden. See if you can name the Shape. Then click the lower lefthand box "term" to see the answer.

In the Shape Comparison Activity select one leaf from the top and one from the bottom to compare the shapes of different leaves.

Leaf Shape Quiz

A quiz will load up below. If you find that you are not scoring very high, be sure to go back and review.