Leaf Apices

Biology - Structure: Leaves

Leaf Apices
Be aware that variation exists among cultivars and individual plants within the same species.

acuminate
tapering with somewhat concave sides to a protracted, acute point
Hydrangea anomala petiolaris

retuse
notched slightly at a usually obtuse apex
Liriodendron tulipifera

acute
sharp, tapering with essentially straight or slightly convex sides to a point
Amelanchier

emarginate
shallow notch at the apex
Alnus glutinosa

obtuse
blunt, rounded enough for an angle of 90 to be placed inside
Myrica pensylvanica

cuspidate
with an apical cusp--an abrupt, sharp, rigid point
Cercis canadensis

truncate
nearly or straight across at the apex
Liriodendron tulipifera

mucronate
short, sharp, spiny tip at the apex
Quercus imbricaria


		acuminate tapering with somewhat concave sides to a protracted, acute point Hydrangea anomala petiolaris			retuse notched slightly at a usually obtuse apex Liriodendron tulipifera

		acute sharp, tapering with essentially straight or slightly convex sides to a point Amelanchier			emarginate shallow notch at the apex Alnus glutinosa

		obtuse blunt, rounded enough for an angle of 90 to be placed inside Myrica pensylvanica			cuspidate with an apical cusp--an abrupt, sharp, rigid point Cercis canadensis

		truncate nearly or straight across at the apex Liriodendron tulipifera			mucronate short, sharp, spiny tip at the apex Quercus imbricaria