entireleaved

Entireleaved is a term used in botany to describe a leaf that has an undivided margin. This means the edge of the leaf is smooth and does not have any teeth, lobes, or indentations. The term is in contrast to leaves that are described as toothed, lobed, or incised. An entire leaf is considered a simple leaf, as opposed to a compound leaf which is divided into leaflets. The shape of an entire leaf can vary greatly, including shapes such as oval, elliptical, lanceolate, or ovate, but the key characteristic remains the un-dissected margin. Many common plant species exhibit entire leaves, contributing to a wide range of botanical descriptions. This characteristic is often noted in plant identification guides and taxonomic keys.