How Do You Identify A Shrub From A Leaf?
When identifying shrubs, a good look at the leaf, flower and overall shape of the plant will help in identifying the family and species of your specimen. However, if the flowers are not present, then the leaf will have to be your guide for determining species. Determine whether the leaf sample is a needle or a true leaf. This a very basic step that separates the conifers from the flowering plants. Although conifer needles can be accurately described as modified leaves, the remaining discussion will center on distinguishing the leaves of flowering plants, which is a very broad area of study, all in itself. Look at the leaf to see if it is deciduous or evergreen. Evergreen leaves occur on some shrubs such as the holly and are characterized by a hard, shiny surface that is not very flexible and cracks easily. Once it is determined that an evergreen leaf is present, your selection of possible shrubs is greatly reduced. Look at the veins of the leaf to see if the veins are parallel, as in a
