FORM AND STRUCTURE 



Ovate, shaped like the longitudinal section of a hen's egg. 



(Fig. 17.) 

 Obovate, same form reversed, petiole at the smaller end. 



(Fig. 18.) 

 Orbicular, nearly circular in outline. (Fig. 19.) 



The names are frequently used together in order to de- 

 scribe a leaf accurately. 



APEX. 



The Apex is the point of the leaf opposite the petiole. 

 The following forms prevail in the leaves of deciduous trees: 



Acute, an apex which forms an acute angle. (Fig. 20.) 

 Acuminate, taper or long pointed. (Fig. 21.) 

 Obtuse, rounded or blunt. (Fig. 22.) 

 Truncate, cut off or terminating abruptly. (Fig. 23.) 



Fic. 20. Fic. 21. Fig. 22. 



Fig. 23. 



Fig. 24. 



Fig. 25. 



Fig. 26. 



Emarginate, with the rounded summit slightly indented 



forming a shallow notch. (Fig. 24.) 

 Mucronate, tipped with an abrupt short point. (Fig. 25.) 

 Bristle-pointed, tipped with a bristle. (Fig. 26.) 



BASE. 



The Base is the part of the leaf attached to the petiole or 

 stem. The following forms prevail in the leaves of deciduous 

 trees : 



Rounded or Obtuse, as shown by the Black Cherry. 

 Cuneate or Wedge-shaped, as shown by the Papaw. 

 Cordate or Heart-shaped, as shown by the Balm of Gilead. 

 Oblique or unequal-sided, as shown by the Linden, 



508 



