Leaf Identification
Leaf Margins
Leaf Identification |
Leaf Margins |
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| Home | Introduction | Leaf Structure | |||
| Leaf Arrangement and Venation | Leaf Margins | Summary Practice | |||
After you have determined the shape and grouping of the plant's leaves,the arrangement of the leaves on the stem, and the structure of the leafs veins, you need to examine the leaf margin characteristics.
The shape of the edge or margin of a leaf is another way it can be identified. Three kinds of margins are Entire, Toothed, and Lobed.
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1. Entire - smooth, no bumps |
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A number of margins are named by the kinds of "teeth" they have
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2. Toothed - shallow bumps |
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Dentate - pointing outward |
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Serrate - pointing to the leaf's tip |
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Crenate - broad and round |
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Incised - deeply cut with sharp, irregular teeth |
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3. Lobed - deep indents or sinuses |
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Sinuate - very wavy margin |
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Undulate - wavy margin, but not as wavy as a sinuate margin |
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Now test what you've learned about leaf arrangements, venation, and margins (Go to Test Pilot)