LEAVES FORM AND POSITION 



79 



Elliptic differs from the oblong in having the sides gradu- 

 ally tapering to either end from the middle. The 

 ^ European beech (Fig. 104) has elliptic 

 leaves. (This tree is often planted in 

 this country.) 



Lanceolate, four to six times longer than 

 broad, widest below the middle, and 



\ tapering to either end. Some of the 

 narrow-leaved willows are examples. 

 Most of the willows and the peach 

 have oblong-lanceolate leaves. 

 Spatulate, a narrow leaf that is broadest 



\toward the apex. The top is usually 

 rounded. 



104. 



FIG. 



ELLIPTIC LEAF 



OF PURPLE 



BEECH. 



FIG. 105. OVATE 

 SERRATE LEAF OF 

 HIBISCUS. 



FIG. 106. LEAF OF APPLE, showing blade, petiole, 

 and small narrow stipules. 



Ovate, shaped somewhat like the longitudinal section of an 

 . egg: about twice as long as broad, tapering from near 

 the base to the apex. This is one of the commonest 

 ^ leaf forms (Figs. 105, 106). 



