Leaf Identification

To say that leaves come in many shapes and sizes would be an understatement! The variety is endless. For a species to be properly identified, it’s highly important to render your drawing accurately. The tiniest detail could mean the difference between one species and another. Isn’t that amazing?

Here are some questions to ask about the characteristics when identifying and drawing leaves.

Question: What is the overall outside shape of the leaf?

Leaf Margin Shapes

a. linear

b. elliptic

c. oblong

d. ovate

e. obovate

f. lanceolate

g. oblanceolate

h. spatulate

i. rhomboid

j. hastate

k. cordate

l. orbicular

m. reniform

n. deltoid

Question: What does the tip of the leaf look like?

Leaf Tip Shapes

a. obtuse

b. retuse

c. emarginate

d. truncate

e. acuminate

f. cuspidate

g. acute

h. apiculate

i. aristate

Question: What does the base of the leaf look like?

Leaf Base Shapes

a. cordate

b. rounded

c. truncate

d. auriculate

e. cuneate

f. hastate

g. attenuate

h. sagittate

i. oblique

Question: What does the edge of the leaf look like?

Leaf Margins

a. entire

b. ciliate

c. pectinate

d. cleft

e. lobed

f. dentate

g. serrated

h. doubly serrated

i. incised

j. sinuate

k. crenate

Question: How are the veins arranged on the leaf?

It’s important to begin by observing these characteristics, as they are deciding factors in knowing what specie of plant you’re drawing. Keeping a leaf sketchbook will help you to begin to learn these characteristics. (See here for tips on creating a sketchbook.) Below is an example of how I keep a leaf sketchbook.

Write down any characteristics you feel are unique to the plant. Visit the library or Internet and research the plant to learn more about it. If you know its Latin name, you will find accurate information. Most plants also have a common name, but it may or may not translate to the same specie from one region to another. The Latin name gives you accurate information regardless of where you found the plant or what the regional common name is. Even if you don’t know the plant’s common or Latin name, it’s still important to observe and accurately record the information.