Science the Montessori Way

By: Kelli Dantin

Wall Chart

Wall Chart

Wall Chart

Booklet: Leaf Shapes

Acicular

A simple leaf shaped like a needle. Often times they are several times longer than wide and end sharply at the apex.

Acuminate

Alternate

A simple leaf that is classified by the shape of the apex. It narrows or tapers to a short point at the apex.

A leaf characterization dictated by the position on the stem. In this case, leaves grow one per node at different levels of the stem.

4-part Cards: Leaf Shapes

Acicular

A simple leaf shaped like a needle. Often times they are several times longer than wide and end sharply at the apex.

Acuminate

Alternate

A simple leaf that is classified by the shape of the apex. It narrows or tapers to a short point at the apex.

A leaf characterization dictated by the position on the stem. In this case, leaves grow one per node at different levels of the stem.

Aristate

Bi-pinnate

A simple leaf characterized by an apex having a ratio greater than 3:1 that is usually prolonged, straight and stiff.

Pinnately compound leaves in which the leaflets are pinnately compound. They often have a feathery appearance.

Cordate

Cuneate

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the base of the leaf. It is a heart shaped leaf in which the petiole attaches to the cleft.

A simple leaf characterized by the base of the leaf. It is wedge shaped with an base that forms a point.

Aristate

Bi-pinnate

A simple leaf characterized by an apex having a ratio greater than 3:1 that is usually prolonged, straight and stiff.

Pinnately compound leaves in which the leaflets are pinnately compound. They often have a feathery appearance.

Cordate

Cuneate

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the base of the leaf. It is a heart shaped leaf in which the petiole attaches to the cleft.

A simple leaf characterized by the base of the leaf. It is wedge shaped with an base that forms a point.

Deltoid

Digitate

A simple leaf that is triangular shaped leaf with petiole attached to a side.

A compound leaf characterized by the position of the leaflets, which are arranged in the shape of a hand.

Elliptic

Even Pinnate

A simple leaf that is elliptical in shape, normally twice as long as it is thick. Its apex has a very short to non-existent point.

A compound leaf with leaflets forming two rows (pinnate) that is distinguished by two leaflets at the tip.

Deltoid

Digitate

A simple leaf that is triangular shaped leaf with petiole attached to a side.

A compound leaf characterized by the position of the leaflets, which are arranged in the shape of a hand.

Elliptic

Even Pinnate

A simple leaf that is elliptical in shape, normally twice as long as it is thick. Its apex has a very short to non-existent point.

A compound leaf with leaflets forming two rows (pinnate) that is distinguished by two leaflets at the tip.

Falcate

Flabellate

A simple leaf that is hooked or sickle shaped. It has one convex and one concave margin.

A simple leaf with a semicircular or fan shape.

Hastate

Lanceolate

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It is shaped like a spear-head. It has long, narrow margins with flaring basal lobes that point outwards.

A simple leaf characterized based on the shape of the base and apex, both of which taper to a point. Named for its lance-head shape.

Falcate

Flabellate

A simple leaf that is hooked or sickle shaped. It has one convex and one concave margin.

A simple leaf with a semicircular or fan shape.

Hastate

Lanceolate

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It is shaped like a spear-head. It has long, narrow margins with flaring basal lobes that point outwards.

A simple leaf characterized based on the shape of the base and apex, both of which taper to a point. Named for its lance-head shape.

Linear

Lobed

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins. They are long and narrow with the two sides being parallel.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margins, which are severely indented, but not to the point that the indention reaches the center of the leaf.

Obcordate

Obovate

A simple leaf characterized by the apex shape and the base. It is heart shaped with a cleft apex and pointed base.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its egg shape. The apex is the larger rounder portion, while the base is smaller and pointer.

Linear

Lobed

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins. They are long and narrow with the two sides being parallel.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margins, which are severely indented, but not to the point that the indention reaches the center of the leaf.

Obcordate

Obovate

A simple leaf characterized by the apex shape and the base. It is heart shaped with a cleft apex and pointed base.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its egg shape. The apex is the larger rounder portion, while the base is smaller and pointer.

Obtuse

Odd Pinnate

A simple leaf that is characterized based on the shape of the apex of the leaf, which is rounded or blunt.

A compound leaf named for the arrangement of its leaflets on there petiole. The leaflets are pinnate with one leaflet at the tip.

Opposite

Orbiculate

A leaf characterization dictated by the position on the stem. In this case two leaves are paired and connect at each node, opposite each other.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its circular or nearly circular shape.

Obtuse

Odd Pinnate

A simple leaf that is characterized based on the shape of the apex of the leaf, which is rounded or blunt.

A compound leaf named for the arrangement of its leaflets on there petiole. The leaflets are pinnate with one leaflet at the tip.

Opposite

Orbiculate

A leaf characterization dictated by the position on the stem. In this case two leaves are paired and connect at each node, opposite each other.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margin. It gets its name from its circular or nearly circular shape.

Ovate

Palmate

A simple leaf characterized by shape of the margin, which is egg shaped. It is narrower at the apex and broader at the base.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins, which are shaped like the hand with the fingers extended. The lobes radiate from a single point.

Pedate

Peltate

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It has palmately divided lobes with lateral lobes that are cleft or divided.

A simple leaf characterized by the flat circular blade attached to the stem at the center of the blade rather than at the edge of the margin.

Ovate

Palmate

A simple leaf characterized by shape of the margin, which is egg shaped. It is narrower at the apex and broader at the base.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the leaf margins, which are shaped like the hand with the fingers extended. The lobes radiate from a single point.

Pedate

Peltate

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin. It has palmately divided lobes with lateral lobes that are cleft or divided.

A simple leaf characterized by the flat circular blade attached to the stem at the center of the blade rather than at the edge of the margin.

Perfoliate

Pinnatisect

A simple leaf that is characterized by stem location, in which the leaf appears to be pierced by the stem.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which is lobed deeply in a pinnate pattern, although it does not actually form separate leaflets.

Reniform

Rhomboid

A simple leaf characterized by its kidney shape.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which has a rhombus or diamond shape.

Perfoliate

Pinnatisect

A simple leaf that is characterized by stem location, in which the leaf appears to be pierced by the stem.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which is lobed deeply in a pinnate pattern, although it does not actually form separate leaflets.

Reniform

Rhomboid

A simple leaf characterized by its kidney shape.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the margin, which has a rhombus or diamond shape.

Rossete

Spatulate

A compound leaf characterized by leaflets that grow in crowded circles from a common center or crown.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade, which is spatula shaped. The blade has a broad rounded apex and narrow base.

Spearshaped

Subulate

A simple leaf, which has a spear shaped blade. The apex is pointed, while the base has barbed lobes.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade. It has a long slender blade, which is tapers to a point at the apex.

Rossete

Spatulate

A compound leaf characterized by leaflets that grow in crowded circles from a common center or crown.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade, which is spatula shaped. The blade has a broad rounded apex and narrow base.

Spearshaped

Subulate

A simple leaf, which has a spear shaped blade. The apex is pointed, while the base has barbed lobes.

A simple leaf characterized by the shape of the blade. It has a long slender blade, which is tapers to a point at the apex.

Trifolate

Tripinnate

A compound leaf characterized by the existence of three leaflets.

A compound leaf in which the pinnate divisions are further divided into three pinnate sets of leaflets.

Truncate

Whorled

A simple leaf that is characterized by a base which appears to terminate abruptly.

A compound leaf in which there are three or more leaves at each node in a circular pattern around the stem.

Trifolate

Tripinnate

A compound leaf characterized by the existence of three leaflets.

A compound leaf in which the pinnate divisions are further divided into three pinnate sets of leaflets.

Truncate

Whorled

A simple leaf that is characterized by a base which appears to terminate abruptly.

A compound leaf in which there are three or more leaves at each node in a circular pattern around the stem.

Booklet: Leaf Margins

Margins

Ciliate

The border of a leaf.

A leaf having a border or edge with hair like projections.

Crenate

Dentate

A leaf having a border or edge that is scalloped, a series of curved projections.

A leaf with a border or edge having tooth-like projections.

4-part Cards: Leaf Margins

Margins

Ciliate

The border of a leaf.

A leaf having a border or edge with hair like projections.

Crenate

Dentate

A leaf having a border or edge that is scalloped, a series of curved projections.

A leaf with a border or edge having tooth-like projections.

Denticulate

Doubly Serrate

A leaf having a finely toothed margin.

A leaf having a border or edge having smaller serratures upon larger ones.

Entire

Lobate

A leaf having a border or edge which is smooth having no notches or indentations.

A leaf having a border or edge which is lobed, or having large rounded projections.

Denticulate

Doubly Serrate

A leaf having a finely toothed margin.

A leaf having a border or edge having smaller serratures upon larger ones.

Entire

Lobate

A leaf having a border or edge which is smooth having no notches or indentations.

A leaf having a border or edge which is lobed, or having large rounded projections.

Serrate

Serrulate

A leaf having an edge or border notched like a saw with teeth like projections pointing toward the apex.

A leaf having an edge or border that is minutely serrate.

Sinute

Spiny

A leaf having an edge or border having a wavy indention.

A leaf having an edge or border having spine or thorn projections.

Serrate

Serrulate

A leaf having an edge or border notched like a saw with teeth like projections pointing toward the apex.

A leaf having an edge or border that is minutely serrate.

Sinute

Spiny

A leaf having an edge or border having a wavy indention.

A leaf having an edge or border having spine or thorn projections.

Booklet Cards: Leaf Venation

Undulated

Venation

A leaf having an edge or border having a smooth wavy outline.

The shape, or arrangement, of the veins of a leaf.

Arcuate

Cross Venulate

A leaf having veins which are curved.

A leaf having small veins connecting secondary veins.

4-part Cards: Leaf Venation

Undulated

Venation

A leaf having an edge or border having a smooth wavy outline.

The shape, or arrangement, of the veins of a leaf.

Arcuate

Cross Venulate

A leaf having veins which are curved.

A leaf having small veins connecting secondary veins.

Dichotomous

Longitudinal

A leaf having veins which branch symmetrically in pairs.

A leaf having veins aligned mostly along the long axis of the leaf.

Palmate

Parallel

A leaf having several primary veins radiating from a point.

A leaf having veins arranged axially not intersecting.

Dichotomous

Longitudinal

A leaf having veins which branch symmetrically in pairs.

A leaf having veins aligned mostly along the long axis of the leaf.

Palmate

Parallel

A leaf having several primary veins radiating from a point.

A leaf having veins arranged axially not intersecting.

Pinnate

Reticulate

A leaf having secondary veins paired oppositely.

A leaf having smaller veins forming an network.

Rotate

Label

Veins radiating in peltate leaves.

Definition

Pinnate

Reticulate

A leaf having secondary veins paired oppositely.

A leaf having smaller veins forming an network.

Rotate

Label

Veins radiating in peltate leaves.

Definition