Leaf Size: Width: __________ Length: _________

Number of vein pairs (range): _____

Unique Petiole [leaf stalk] Characteristics (describe):

 

The leaf blades of hostas are found in the following shapes according to the American Hosta Society:

  1. Lance
  2. Elliptic
  3. Ovate
  4. Broadly Ovate
  5. Nearly Round

In addition, each of these shapes may have a different type of leaf base including:

  1. Tapered
  2. Flat
  3. Rounded
  4. Heart-shaped (Cordate)

1. Lance Shaped Leaves - Length to width ratio of between 6 to 1 and 3 to 1 - Lance-shaped (lanceolata) Long, wider in the middle

2. Elliptic Shaped Leaves - Elliptic (elliptica) Oval, with a short point

3. Ovate Shaped Leaves - Broad and rounded at the base and tapering toward the end - egg shaped ratio of 2 to 1 to 3 to 2 - Ovate (ovata) Oval, with a tapering point

4. Broadly Ovate Shaped Leaves - heart shaped ratio 6 to 5

5. Nearly Round Shaped Leaves - circular ratio 1 to 1

 

 1. Tapered Leaf Base -

2. Flat Leaf Base -

 

3. Rounded Leaf Base -

4. Heart Shaped Leaf Base -

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