Northern Ontario Plant Database

Leaf Margins

• Entire - a smooth margin with no indentations or incisions.
• Crenate - margins with shallow rounded or blunt teeth.
• Serrate - margins with pointed teeth directed forward, towards the apex of the leaf.
• Crenulate - margins with small rounded or blunt teeth, diminutive of crenate.
• Dentate - margins with pointed teeth directed outward, perpendicular to the midrib.

• Double serrate - coarsely serrate margin with smaller teeth on the margins of larger teeth.
• Denticulate - margins with small pointed teeth directed outward, perpendicular to the midrib, diminutive of dentate.
• Broad-crenate - margins with widely spaced, rounded or blunt teeth, e.g., many violets (Viola, Violaceae).
• Serrulate - margins with small pointed teeth directed forward, towards the apex of the leaf, diminutive of serrate.
• Erose - with margins appearing gnawed, indentations shallow and irregular.

More Leaf Margins >>