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Forms of Leaves

Leaves come in a variety of forms, which is a way you can distinguish a type of tree by its leaves. You can use a guidebook to become familiar with leaves when learning how to identify the different forms and to understand the various locations where different leaves can be found.

Simple
- Simple leaves are those that are not compound, or divided into separate parts. These leaves generally have two sections, with the stem dividing the leaf into two even parts. An example of these leaves is Cercis canadensis.
Compound
- Compound leaves have secondary units that branch out from the stem. They can be pinnately compound (Fraxinus Americana), with leaflets arranged on both sides of the stem; palmately compound (Aesculus hipocastanum), with three or more leaflets fanning out from the top of the stem; or bipinnately compound (Gleditsia triacanthos), where primary leaflets are divided into secondary leaflets.
Ovate
- Dogwood trees have ovate leaves.
  
  Leaves can be ovate, which means they are generally rounded at both ends and broadest below the middle of the leaf. These leaves, such as those on a Dogwood tree, or Cornus florida, usually resemble the shape of an egg.
Elliptical
- Cotoneaster trees have elliptical leaves.
  
  Elliptical leaves are narrow at each end and widest in the middle. Cotoneaster dammeri trees exhibit this type of leaf.
Cordate
- Leaves on Aspen trees are cordate.
  
  Cordate leaves are rounded at both ends with a very broad bottom. They resemble an upside-down heart. Populus tremula, or Aspen trees, have cordate leaves.
Other
- Maple tree leaves are lobed, meaning they have separate segments.
  
  Other leaf forms include oblong, which are longer than they are wide, and lobed, which have separate segments. Ferns have oblong leaves, and maple trees have lobed leaves.

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