Last Updated Jun 18, 2021
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Have you ever picked up a leaf and wondered what type of tree it fell from?
There are hundreds of types of leaves in the United States alone, and most people don’t know their scientific or even common names.
You can use this list of leaf types to facilitate an outdoor scavenger hunt, a classroom presentation, or for your own personal learning.
Leaf Identification Guide
We’ve put together a presentation of 76 real images of leaves with their common names, scientific names, plant families, venation systems, and common uses.
Here’s what you’ll learn for each leaf:
Common Leaf Names
According to Plant Management in Florida Waters (UF|IFAS), a leaf’s common name is the name that local people use to identify it. The common name of a leaf can change depending on your location.
Scientific Leaf Names
The UF|IFAS says the scientific name of a leaf is the same worldwide. It is a Latin derived word and it’s used to standardize a leaf scientific research.
Plant Family
Each tree belongs to a plant family. The Science Education Resource Center of Carleton College says that plants in the same family “have similar flowers, reproductive structures, other characteristics, and are evolutionarily related.”
Leaf Venation
Leaf venation “is the pattern of veins in the blade of a leaf. The veins consist of vascular tissues which are important for the transport of food and water.”
Common Uses
As a bonus, we share some of the common uses of each tree, like decoration, fuel, furniture, etc.
Different Types of Leaves with Names, Pictures, and Information
Here are are the first 20 different types of leaves with their names, pictures, and information. Don’t forget to bookmark the entire slideshow of all 76 leaves (there are too many to fit into one post!).
And if you need a more comprehensive collection of leaf types, make sure to check out The Book of Leaves: A Leaf-by-Leaf Guide to Six Hundred of the World’s Great Trees.
Silver Maple
- Common Name: Silver Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer saccharinum
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Furniture, pulp wood, fuel
Box Elder
- Common Name: Box Elder
- Scientific Name: Acer negundo
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Pule and woodenware
Japanese Maple
- Common Name: Japanese Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer palmatum
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Ornamental
Sugar Maple
- Common Name: Sugar Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer saccharum
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Furniture, maple sugar
Planetree Maple
- Common Name: Planetree Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer pseudoplatanus
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Ornamental
Striped Maple
- Common Name: Striped Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer pensylvanicum
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Ornamental and food for animals
Red Maple
- Common Name: Red Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer rubrum
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Furniture and boxes
Crimson King Maple
- Common Name: Crimson King Maple (Norway)
- Scientific Name: Acer platamoides
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Ornamental and shade
Norway Maple
- Common Name: Norway Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer platanoides
- Plant Family: Maple
- Venation: Palmate
- Uses: Shade
White Oak
- Common Name: White Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus alba
- Plant Family: Beech
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Furniture
Northern Red Oak
- Common Name: Northern Red Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus rubra
- Plant Family: Beech
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Construction and interior work
Pin Oak
- Common Name: Pin Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus nuttallii
- Plant Family: Beech
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Nuts for animals
Black Oak
- Common Name: Pin Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus velutina
- Plant Family: Beech
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Construction, furniture
Swamp White Oak
- Common Name: Swamp White Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus bicolor
- Plant Family: Beech
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Lumber
American Chestnut
- Common Name: American Chestnut
- Scientific Name: Castanea dentata
- Plant Family: Beech
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Rough exterior work
American Beech
- Common Name: American Beech
- Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia
- Plant Family: Beech
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Flooring and woodenware
River Birch
- Common Name: River Birch
- Scientific Name: Betula nigra
- Plant Family: Birch
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Furniture and woodenware
Paper Birch
- Common Name: Paper Birch
- Scientific Name: Betula papyrifera
- Plant Family: Birch
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Plywood, fuel, toothpicks, etc.
Gray Birch
- Common Name: Gray Birch
- Scientific Name: Betula populifolia
- Plant Family: Birch
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Spools and firewood
Blueleaf Birch
- Common Name: Blueleaf Birch
- Scientific Name: Betula caerulea-granadis
- Plant Family: Birch
- Venation: Pinnate
- Uses: Ornamental
Types of Leaves with Examples
Those first 20 types of leaves with examples were located in the Western New York area. Maybe the trees in your region are different. If so, use this post as an example and encouragement to go out and teach kids about trees. Have fun!
We look forward to sharing many more fun activities for kids that you can use to keep kids active and engaged in nature, science and hands-on fun.
FAQ:
1. Q: What are some common types of leaves with their names?
– A: Some common types of leaves with their names are:
– Maple leaves: These are broad, flat leaves that are usually green, but can also be red or yellow.
– Oak leaves: These are typically lobed and have a distinct shape that is easy to recognize.
– Palm leaves are long, narrow leaves often used in tropical climates for decoration.
2. Q: What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen leaves?
– A: Deciduous leaves fall off the tree in the fall and grow back in the spring. They are typically broad and flat, found on trees like maple and oak. Evergreen leaves, on the other hand, are leaves that stay on the tree year-round. They are typically needle-like or scale-like, found on trees like pine and spruce.
3. Q: What are the uses of different types of leaves?
– A: Different types of leaves have different uses. Maple leaves are often used to produce maple syrup, while oak leaves produce tannins for leather. Palm leaves are used in tropical climates for decoration, and fern leaves are often used in floral arrangements. Ivy leaves are sometimes used in herbal medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Q: How can you identify different types of leaves?
– A: Leaves can be identified based on shape, size, and texture. Some leaves have distinct shapes, like the heart-shaped leaves of ivy, while others have lobes or serrated edges. The texture of the leaf can also be used to identify it, as some leaves are smooth while others are fuzzy or waxy.
Book Recommendation: The Book of Leaves: A Leaf-by-Leaf Guide to Six Hundred of the World’s Great Trees