Leaf shapes/ABC Wednesday

L is for Leaf shapes

I love textures and patterns and when I see plants, I'm captivated not only by flowers but also with leaves.    Various shapes and textures of leaves are fascinating subjects in photography.  There are more than a dozen leaf shapes but let's concentrate on the L's, shall we?

The leaves in the top photo are called acicular because of the pointed tip.  It can also be described as a linear leaf because it is long and narrow. 

The sharp, lance-shaped leaves of this plant has been compared to a mother-in-law's tongue.  It is also called Tiger's Tail and Snake plant.

Another lanceolate-leafed plant is the Walking Iris, also known as the Apostle's plant.  The name Apostle's plant comes from the belief that the plant will not flower until it has at least 12 leaves, the number of Jesus' apostles.

Papaya leaf is called palmately lobed because the divisions that do not arrive at the center of the half blade.  Aside from its interesting shape, papaya leaves have wonderful medicinal properties.  Juice from the leaves is used as skin cleansing agent, it also heals open wounds and sore.  Fresh leaves are edible; when boiled in water, it is an effective cure for malaria, and can be made into tea to treat bladder and menstrual problems.

These leaflets have fragmented blade, also called compound leaves.

One of the most interesting leaves I have seen so far is that of the Kalanchoe daigremontiana, or Mother of Thousands.  It has oblong-lanceolate leaves with clusters of leaf-like along the edges.  The tiny leaves form roots while on the plant and they grow into young plants.

"Nature will bear the closest inspection.  She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf,  and take an insect view of its plain." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Linking to ABC Wednesday