Houseplants include a wide variety of plant , often from tropic or subtropical regions . Identifying a houseplant is exchangeable to identifying out-of-door garden plant . According to the Oregon State University Department of Horticulture , " Leaves are often the footing for distinguish plant since they are so easily watch . " To name a plant based on its leaves there are several characteristic you will want to note .

Arrangement

The leaves of plants grow in one of three basic configuration . Opposite leave grow at once opposite one another on the stem . Alternate foliage acquire in a staggered , or alternate , fashion . A popular group of houseplants called philodendrons have switch foliage that produce on vine . Whorled leaf grow around the stem as if on a ring . There are few plant with whorled leaves . Some coinage of fuchsia , which can be acquire indoors , have whorled leave-taking in clusters of three to five .

Shape

Houseplant leaf farm in a variety of pattern . The arrowhead industrial plant is aptly named for its big parting mold like an arrowhead . industrial plant leaves are broadly divided into broad and narrow leaves . Of course , there are many variations within those two category . Jade plant , for case , have small , wide leaves . When noting the conformation of a works leafage also believe whether the tip of the foliage is rounded or pointed .

Margins

The edge of farewell are called tolerance . Smooth - foliage margin are called entire leaves . Leaves with mountain pass , or tooth , along the tolerance are call notched . A legal age of houseplant have entire , or smooth , margins . Indoor fern , however , are an example of a houseplant with notched border . Aloe plants also have sharp , needle - like toothed margins .

Texture

Most houseplants are tropic or subtropical in bloodline . This means many houseplants have thick , succulent - like farewell . Aloe and jade plants are both salutary examples of succulent - like leaves . Some leaves will have small fuzz on them . remark whether the hairs are on the upper or underside of the leafage . Also detect whether the tomentum are dull on the leaf , or sparse .

Color

Houseplants are often pick out more for their leaves than their prime or flush , which can be thin . Houseplant leave can be whole in color . Others can be variegated . motley leaves have multiple colors on a foliage , including green , white and bronze coloring .

References

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