Compound leaves are divided into two or more leaflets. To distinguish a leaf from a leaflet, simple and compound leaves have a bud at their base, but a leaflet does not. For compound leaf searches it is possible to search by the entire leaf shape or a search can be made by the individual leaflet shape. If you are unsure about either leaf or leaflet shape, use the uncertain choice.
Select a leaf shape from the following list (if needed, mouse hover over terms for definitions and shapes):

  digitate, Leaflets in the form of a spread hand, like palmate but with narrower leaflets.

  palmate, All the leaflets arising from the end of the leaf stalk and resembling an open hand.

  pedate, Lobed or divided like palmate, but with the lower lateral lobes again cleft or divided.

  3-foliolate, Compound leaf with three leaflets.

  5-foliolate, Compound leaf with five leaflets.

  trifoliate, Compound leaf with three leaflets. Incorrect usage for a compound leaf. See trifoliolate.

  trifoliolate, Compound leaf with three leaflets.

  pinnate, Compound leaf having a number of leaflets on a common stalk.

  imparipinnate, Pinnate with a terminal leaflet. Also called odd-pinnate and sometimes unipinnate.

  odd-pinnate, Pinnate with a terminal leaflet. Also called imparipinnate and sometimes unipinnate.

  paripinnate, Having an even number of leaflets (with no terminal leaflet). Also called even-pinnate and sometimes unipinnate.

  even-pinnate, Having an even number of leaflets (with no terminal leaflet). Also called paripinnate and sometimes unipinnate.

  2-pinnate, Compound leaf with primary pinnate divisions that are themselves pinnate. Also called bipinnate.

  bipinnate, Compound leaf with primary pinnate divisions that are themselves pinnate. Also called 2-pinnate.

  3-pinnate, Compound bipinnate with the secondary leaflets also pinnate. Also called tripinnate.

  tripinnate, Compound bipinnate with the secondary leaflets also pinnate. Also called 3-pinnate.

  ternate, In threes; consisting of three leaflets.

  2-ternate, With three parts and each part divided into three. Also called biternate.

  biternate, With three parts and each part divided into three. Also called 2-ternate.

  3-ternate, Three times ternate. The leaf petiole has three branches and each branch divides into three parts which each bear three leafiets. Also called triternate.

  triternate Three times ternate. The leaf petiole has three branches and each branch divides into three parts which each bear three leafiets. Also called 3-ternate.

Select a leaflet shape from the following list (if needed, mouse hover over terms for definitions and shapes):

  Acicular, Needle-shaped

  Cordate, Heart-shaped

  Cuneate, Wedge-shaped

  Deltate, Triangular

  Deltoid, Triangular

  Elliptic, Shaped like an ellipse

  Ensiform, Sword blade-shaped

  Falcate, Sickle-shaped

  Fan-shaped, Having the form of an open fan

  Filiform, Thread-like

  Flabellate, Fan-shaped

  Hastate, Spearhead-shaped, with flaring pointed lobes at the base.

  Lanceolate, Lance-shaped

  Ligulate, Strap-shaped

  Linear, Long and narrow (like a blade of grass).

  Lingulate, Tongue-shaped

  Lorate, Thong or strap shaped (broader than Ligulate usually).

  Lunate, Crescent shaped

  Lyrate, Having a curvature suggestive of a lyre; terminal lobe rounded and bigger than the other lobes.

  Obcordate, Reversed cordate shape; inversely heart-shaped; attached to the stalk by the pointed end.

  Obdeltoid, Inversely deltoid; triangular shaped with the apex of the triangle attached to the stem.

  Oblanceolate, Inversely lanceolate, much longer than wide with the widest portion near the tip.

  Oblong, Longer than broad, rounded at each end with roughly parallel sides.

  Obovate, Inverse ovate; egg-shaped leaf with the narrower end at the petiole (leaf stalk).

  Obtrullate, Inverse trullate; resembling a trowel blade with the two longer sides meeting at the base.

  Orbicular, Circular or rounded.

  Orbiculate, Circular or rounded.

  Oval, Broadly elliptical.

  Ovate, Egg-shaped, with the leaf widest below the middle.

  Palmatifid, Approximately palm-shaped or hand-shaped with the lobes extending about half-way to the base.

  Palmatisect, Approximately palm-shaped or hand-shaped with the lobes extending close to the base.

  Pandurate, Shaped like a fiddle.

  Peltate, A rounded leaf where the petiole (leaf stalk) attaches near the center of the lower surface instead of the base.

  Pinnatifid, With lobes whose incisions extend about a quarter to half-way to the midrib (the middle vein of the leaf).

  Pinnatipartite, With lobes whose incisions extend half to two-thirds to the midrib (the middle vein of the leaf).

  Pinnatisect, With lobes whose incisions extend approximately to the midrib (the middle vein of the leaf).

  Reniform, Kidney shaped; having a circular shape with a notch where the leaf stem attaches.

  Rhombic, Diamond shaped, with approximately four equal sides.

  Rhomboid, Diamond shaped, with approximately four equal sides.

  Runcinate, With incised margins with the lobes or teeth curved toward the base.

  Sagittate, Arrowhead-shaped; with one point at one end and two pointed lobes extending downward from the base.

  Spathulate, Shaped like a spatula or a spoon.

  Suborbicular, Approximately orbicular or orbiculate; nearly circular or rounded.

  Suborbiculate, Approximately orbiculate or orbicular; nearly circular or rounded.

  Subulate, Tapering from the base to the apex; awl-shaped.

   and Trullate Having the shape of a trowel blade.