oblonglanceolate

Oblonglanceolate is a leaf shape descriptor used in botanical descriptions to characterize leaves that are longer than they are wide, with the blade having sides that are nearly parallel for much of its length and gradually narrowing to a pointed tip. The term is often written oblong-lanceolate, and its exact definition can vary somewhat among authors, reflecting a position on the continuum between oblong and lanceolate forms.

Morphology and identifying features commonly associated with oblonglanceolate leaves include a blade that is distinctly elongated relative to width, a base that is rounded to slightly tapered, and an apex that is acute or acuminate. The sides are typically straight or only gently curved, giving the leaf a narrow to moderate width-to-length ratio. Margins are usually entire, though minor serration can occur near the apex. Venation is typically pinnate, with a prominent midrib. The term does not describe a taxonomic group; it is a descriptive character used across diverse plant families.

Usage and notes on terminology emphasize that oblonglanceolate is a descriptive rather than a taxonomic category. Because writers vary in hyphenation, readers may encounter oblonglanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or simply oblonglanceolate as a single word. The descriptor is widely applied in floras, herbarium records, and field notes to convey leaf form in many angiosperm genera, including but not limited to Rosaceae, Oleaceae, and Rutaceae.

See also: oblong, lanceolate, oblanceolate, leaf shape terminology.