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Glossary
- ALTERNATE
- leaves that are staggered or not placed directly across from each other on the twig.
- BLADE
- the flat part of a leaf, or leaflet, characteristic of deciduous trees.
- BROADLEAF
- a tree with leaves that are flat and thin and generally shed annually.
- BUD SCAR
- the marks remaining after bud scales drop in spring.
- COMPOUND LEAF
- a leaf with more than one blade. All blades are attached to a single leafstem. Where the leafstem attaches to the twig there is a bud.
- CONIFER
- cone-bearing tree.
- DECIDUOUS
- shedding all leaves annually.
- ENTIRE
- a leaf margin with smooth, untoothed edges.
- EVERGREEN
- trees with needles or leaves that remain alive and on the tree through the winter and into the next growing season.
- LEAF SCAR
- the mark left on the twig where the leaf was previously attached.
- LOBES
- projections that shape a leaf.
- MARGIN
- the edge of a leaf.
- MIDRIB
- the primary rib or central vein of a leaf.
- OPPOSITE
- 2 or 3 leaves that are directly across from each other on the same twig.
- PALMATE
- blades or lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like fingers on the palm of a hand.
- PETIOLE
- the leafstalk that connects the blade(s) to the twig.
- PINNATE
- blades or lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like the vanes of a feather.
- SAMARA
- winged fruit.
- SIMPLE LEAF
- a single leaf blade with a bud at the base of the leafstem.
- SINUS
- indentation between lobes on a leaf.
- SPURS
- stubby, often sharp twigs.
- TEETH
- notches on the outer edge of a leaf.
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© 2008 Arbor Day Foundation