10 IDENTIFYING WILD FLOWERS. 



Radical leaves are fixed on the stem close to the root, 

 sometimes lying on or near the ground, and may be either 

 stalked or stalkless. When radical leaves are rather short; 

 flat to the ground, and radiate from the base of the stem 

 of the plant, they form a Rosette. 



Sessile leaves are such as have a blade without a dis- 

 tinct stalk. They may spring either from the root or 

 from the stem. 



1. About Simple Leaves. A simple leaf is one whose 

 leaf-blade has no distinct or separate divisions, but is in 

 one piece. 



Acute leaves have their apex tapering to a point or 

 forming an acute angle. 



Acuminate leaves are suddenly narrowed near the 

 apex, which forms a more or less narrow point. 



A clasping (or amplexicaul) leaf is a sessile one whose 

 base nearly surrounds the stem. A half-clasping (or semi- 

 amplexicaul) leaf is a sessile one whose base clasps about 

 half of the circumference of the stem. 



Cordate leaves are those which are somewhat heart- 

 shaped. A leaf may be cordate at the base, whatever its 

 length or breadth, but truly heart-shaped leaves are broadly 

 ovate and acute with rounded auricles (or little ears) at 

 the base. 



Connate leaves are two leaves joined at their bases so as 

 to look like one leaf, through which the stem passes. 



Crenate leaves have regular and blunt or rounded por- 

 tions on the margin in place of pointed teeth, etc. 



Cuneate leaves are broadest above the middle, and 

 taper towards the base, which is pointed. 



A Decurrent leaf is a sessile one whose leaf-blade con- 

 tinues downwards along the side or sides of the stem. 



Dentate or toothed leaves have their edge or margin 

 only cut a little way in, forming a resemblance to teeth. 



An Entire leaf has the margin or edge of the leaf-blade 

 wholly free from indentations. 



Hastate leaves have two pointed auricles or lobes at the 

 base, fixed nearly at right angles to the midrib. 



Lanceolate leaves are three or four times as long as 



