An illustration of a yellow woolly bear caterpillar. The Yellow woolly bear caterpillar, Spilosoma virginica, is the larva of the Virginia tiger moth. It has a diet of a wide range of low-growing plants, including ground cover like grass and clover. This species tends to have two to three life cycles per year, with one hibernating for the winter in temperate climates.

Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar

An illustration of a yellow woolly bear caterpillar. The Yellow woolly bear caterpillar, Spilosoma virginica,…

Orgyia leucostigma, the White-marked tussock moth, is a moth in the family Lymantriidae. The caterpillar is very common especially in late summer in eastern North America, as far west as Texas, Colorado, and Alberta. There are two or more generations a year in eastern North America (Wagner 2005). They overwinter in the egg stage. Eggs are laid in a single mass over the cocoon of the female, and covered in a froth (Wagner 2005). Up to 300 eggs are laid at a time. he larvae are brightly coloured, with tufts of hair-like setae. The head is bright red, the body has yellow or white stripes, with a black stripe along the middle of the back. There are bright red defensive glands on the hind end of the back. Four white toothbrush-like tufts stand out from the back, and there is a grey-brown hair pencil at the hind end. Touching the hairs will set off an allergic reaction in many humans (Wagner 2005). Young larvae skeletonize the surface of the leaf, while older larvae eat everything except the larger veins (Rose and Lindquist, 1982). They grow to about 35 mm.

White-marked Tussock Caterpillar

Orgyia leucostigma, the White-marked tussock moth, is a moth in the family Lymantriidae. The caterpillar…

A variety of leaves with scales: "a, the scale-like leaves of the stem of Lathraea squamaria (toothwort); b, the cone with the scales of Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean Cypress); c, the imbricate scale-like bract of the spike of Cyperus longus (common galingale)." -Whitney, 1911

Scaled Leaves

A variety of leaves with scales: "a, the scale-like leaves of the stem of Lathraea squamaria (toothwort);…

An illustration of white clover (left) and red clover (right). Clover (Trifolium), or trefoil, is a genus of about 300 species of plants in the pea family Fabaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution; the highest diversity is found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, including at high altitudes on mountains in the tropics. They are small annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herbaceous plants. The leaves are trifoliate (rarely 5- or 7-foliate), with stipules adnate to the leaf-stalk, and heads or dense spikes of small red, purple, white, or yellow flowers; the small, few-seeded pods are enclosed in the calyx

Clover

An illustration of white clover (left) and red clover (right). Clover (Trifolium), or trefoil, is a…

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays a significant role in traditional Andean culture. Coca leaves contain cocaine alkaloids, a basis for the drug cocaine, which is a powerful stimulant. Coca should not be confused with the similarly named South American cocoa bean from which chocolate is made. The plant resembles a blackthorn bush, and grows to a height of 2–3 m (7–10 ft). The branches are straight, and the leaves, which have a green tint, are thin, opaque, oval, and taper at the extremities. A marked characteristic of the leaf is an areolated portion bounded by two longitudinal curved lines, one line on each side of the midrib, and more conspicuous on the under face of the leaf. The flowers are small, and disposed in little clusters on short stalks; the corolla is composed of five yellowish-white petals, the anthers are heart-shaped, and the pistil consists of three carpels united to form a three-chambered ovary. The flowers mature into red berries.

Coca Flower

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays…

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus leaf. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties. The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10cm in diameter); the bark is "corky gray" with white wood. The "small, yellowish-white, sweet-scented" flowers vary between 6 to 10 centimeters across; the fruit produced is a drupe, "about 1 cm in diameter when dry".

Anamirta cocculus

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus leaf. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing…

"a, Scales of Chionaspis pinifoliae upon pine-leaves, natural size; b, scale of male, enlarged; c, straight scale of female, enlarged; d, curved scale of female, enlarged." -Whitney, 1911

Pine Needle Scale

"a, Scales of Chionaspis pinifoliae upon pine-leaves, natural size; b, scale of male, enlarged; c, straight…

Watercresses are fast-growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plants native from Europe to central Asia, and one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by human beings. These plants are members of the Family Brassicaceae or cabbage family, botanically related to garden cress and mustard — all noteworthy for a peppery, tangy flavor.

Watercress

Watercresses are fast-growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plants native from Europe to central…

An illustration of a portion of a date palm leaf. The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a palm in the genus Phoenix, extensively cultivated for its edible fruit. Due to its long history of cultivation for fruit, its exact native distribution is unknown, but probably originated somewhere in the desert oases of northern Africa, and perhaps also southwest Asia. It is a medium-sized tree, 15–25 m tall, often clumped with several trunks from a single root system, but often growing singly as well. The leaves are pinnate, 3–5 m long, with spines on the petiole and about 150 leaflets; the leaflets are 30 cm long and 2 cm broad. The full span of the crown ranges from 6–10 m.

Date Palm Leaf

An illustration of a portion of a date palm leaf. The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a palm in the…

An illustration of an earthworm. The basic body plan of an earthworm is a tube, the digestive system, within a tube, the muscular outer body. The body is annular, formed of segments that are most specialized in the anterior. Earthworms have a simple circulatory system. They have two main blood vessels that extend through the length of their body: a ventral blood vessel which leads the blood to the posterior end, and a dorsal blood vessel which leads to the anterior end. Most earthworms are decomposers feeding on undecayed leaf and other plant matter, others are more geophagous.

Earthworm

An illustration of an earthworm. The basic body plan of an earthworm is a tube, the digestive system,…

Crocus (plural: crocus, crocuses) is a genus of perennial flowering plants, native to a large area from coastal and subalpine areas of central and southern Europe (including the islands of the Aegean), North Africa and the Middle East, across Central Asia to western China. The genus Crocus is placed botanically in the iris family (Iridaceae). The plants grow from corms and are mainly hardy perennials, and are found in a wide range of habitats, including woodland, scrub and meadows. There are about eighty species of crocus (of which approximately 30 are cultivated). Their cup-shaped, solitary, salverform flowers taper off into a narrow tube. Their color varies enormously, although lilac, mauve, yellow and white are predominant. The grass-like, ensiform leaf shows generally a white central stripe along the leaf axis. The leaf margin is entire. All crocuses typically have three stamens. The spice saffron is obtained from the stigmas of Crocus sativus, an autumn/fall-blooming species.

Crocus

Crocus (plural: crocus, crocuses) is a genus of perennial flowering plants, native to a large area from…

"The inflorescence of Maryland Figwort (Scrophularia Marylandica). a, the flower; b, the fruit; c, a seed; d, a leaf." -Whitney, 1911

Maryland Figwort

"The inflorescence of Maryland Figwort (Scrophularia Marylandica). a, the flower; b, the fruit; c, a…

The finial is an architectural device, typically carved in stone and employed to decoratively emphasize the apex of a gable, or any of various distinctive ornaments at the top, end, or corner of a building or structure. Smaller finials can be used as a decorative ornament on the ends of curtain rods or applied to chairs and furniture. These are frequently seen on top of bed posts or clocks. Decorative finials are also commonly used to fasten lampshades, and as an ornamental element at the end of the handles of souvenir spoons. Finials can also be decorative members at the ends of curtain rods. An architectural finial can also function as a lightning rod, and was once believed to act as a deterrent to witches on broomsticks attempting to land on one's roof.

Leaf Finial

The finial is an architectural device, typically carved in stone and employed to decoratively emphasize…

An illustration of leaf indentations left on club moss.

Leaf Indentations

An illustration of leaf indentations left on club moss.

An illustration of a fossil of a toothed fern. Ferns are vascular plants differing from the more primitive lycophytes by having true leaves (megaphylls), and they differ from seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms) in their mode of reproduction — lacking flowers and seeds. Like all other vascular plants, they have a life cycle referred to as alternation of generations, characterized by a diploid sporophytic and a haploid gametophytic phase.

Leaf Indentations

An illustration of a fossil of a toothed fern. Ferns are vascular plants differing from the more primitive…

"Self-heal. (Prunella vulgaris). The upper part of the stem with flowers. a, the calyx; b, the corolla; c, a leaf; d, a bract from the inflorescence." -Whitney, 1911

Self-Heal

"Self-heal. (Prunella vulgaris). The upper part of the stem with flowers. a, the calyx; b, the corolla;…

"Flowering branch of Senna (Cassia obovata). a, a pod." -Whitney, 1911

Senna

"Flowering branch of Senna (Cassia obovata). a, a pod." -Whitney, 1911

A French Gothic capital from Sainte Chapelle in Paris from the thirteenth century. The capitals were tall and slender, concave in profile, with heavy square or octagonal abaci. After the middle of the thirteenth century the carving became more realistic; the leaves, larger and more mature, were treated as if applied to the capital or moulding, not as if they grew out of it.

French Gothic Capital

A French Gothic capital from Sainte Chapelle in Paris from the thirteenth century. The capitals were…

A fourteenth century capital from transept of Notre Dame, Paris. The capitals were tall and slender, concave in profile, with heavy square or octagonal abaci. After the middle of the thirteenth century the carving became more realistic; the leaves, larger and more mature, were treated as if applied to the capital or moulding, not as if they grew out of it.

French Gothic Capital

A fourteenth century capital from transept of Notre Dame, Paris. The capitals were tall and slender,…

A fifteenth century capital from the north spire of Chartres. The capitals were tall and slender, concave in profile, with heavy square or octagonal abaci. After the middle of the thirteenth century the carving became more realistic; the leaves, larger and more mature, were treated as if applied to the capital or moulding, not as if they grew out of it.

French Gothic Capital

A fifteenth century capital from the north spire of Chartres. The capitals were tall and slender, concave…

"Serrate leaf of American Linden (Tilia americana)." -Whitney, 1911

American Linden Leaf

"Serrate leaf of American Linden (Tilia americana)." -Whitney, 1911

An illustration of a Pilocarpus leaf.

Pilocarpus Leaf

An illustration of a Pilocarpus leaf.

An illustration of a roman diptych with gold leaf. A diptych is any object with two flat plates attached at a hinge.

Leaf of Roman Diptych

An illustration of a roman diptych with gold leaf. A diptych is any object with two flat plates attached…

Girls playing on a tree swing. One girl picks four-leaf clovers.

Girls on a Swing

Girls playing on a tree swing. One girl picks four-leaf clovers.

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a short-lived perennial herb. It is the sole species of the genus Anethum, though classified by some botanists in a related genus as Peucedanum graveolens (L.) C.B.Clarke. It grows to 40–60 cm (16–24 in) 1 inch, with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate leaves 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) long. The ultimate leaf divisions are 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of fennel, which are threadlike, less than 1 mm (0.039 in) broad, but harder in texture. The flowers are white to yellow, in small umbels 2–9 cm (0.79–3.5 in) diameter. The seeds are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 1 mm (0.039 in) thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.

Dill

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a short-lived perennial herb. It is the sole species of the genus Anethum,…

The Sessile Bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia) is a species of bellworts, here showing its sessile leaves.

Sessile Bellwort

The Sessile Bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia) is a species of bellworts, here showing its sessile leaves.

The leaf of the Grapefruit tree (Citrus decumana) in the Rutaceae family of rues or citrus.

Grapefruit Leaf

The leaf of the Grapefruit tree (Citrus decumana) in the Rutaceae family of rues or citrus.

The Sundews (Drosera rotundifolia) comprise one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with over 170 species. These members of the family Droseraceae lure, capture, and digest insects using stalked mucilaginous glands covering their leaf surface.

Sundew

The Sundews (Drosera rotundifolia) comprise one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with over…

"Transverse section of a diseased patch in the leaf showing the hyphae of the fungus pushing between the leaf-cells and tapping them for nourishment. The hyphae have broken through the upper face and are forming a cluster of spores." -Britannica, 1910

Diseased Leaf

"Transverse section of a diseased patch in the leaf showing the hyphae of the fungus pushing between…

"Root-weevil (Leptops hopei). a, weevil; b, pupa; c, larva, in situ; d, weevil ovipositing on leaf above; e, eggs on opened leaf." -Whitney, 1911

Apple Root Weevil

"Root-weevil (Leptops hopei). a, weevil; b, pupa; c, larva, in situ; d, weevil ovipositing on leaf above;…

Sedum is the large stonecrop genus of the Crassulaceae, representing about 400 species of leaf succulents, found throughout the northern hemisphere, varying from annual and creeping herbs to shrubs. The plants have water-storing leaves. The flowers usually have five petals, seldom four or six. There are typically twice as many stamens as petals.

Sedum

Sedum is the large stonecrop genus of the Crassulaceae, representing about 400 species of leaf succulents,…

"Pasture Sage-brush (Artemisia frigida). a, leaf; b, flower-head; c, fertile flower; d, marginal flower." -Whitney, 1911

Sagebrush

"Pasture Sage-brush (Artemisia frigida). a, leaf; b, flower-head; c, fertile flower; d, marginal flower."…

"Canadian St.-John's-wort (Hypericum Canadense). a, leaf; b, seed-capsule." -Whitney, 1911

Canadian St. John's Wort

"Canadian St.-John's-wort (Hypericum Canadense). a, leaf; b, seed-capsule." -Whitney, 1911

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel, rises a slender cup, supporting a lofty member with double volutes or scrolls on the four sides, which correspond with those of the Grecian Ionic capitals, but which are introduced not horizontally but perpendicularly. The base consists of fillets and a leaf-covered torus resting on a circular path.

Restored Capital from the Ruins of Persepolis

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel,…

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel, rises a slender cup, supporting a lofty member with double volutes or scrolls on the four sides, which correspond with those of the Grecian Ionic capitals, but which are introduced not horizontally but perpendicularly. The base consists of fillets and a leaf-covered torus resting on a circular path.

Capital from the Ruins of Persepolis

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel,…

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel, rises a slender cup, supporting a lofty member with double volutes or scrolls on the four sides, which correspond with those of the Grecian Ionic capitals, but which are introduced not horizontally but perpendicularly. The base consists of fillets and a leaf-covered torus resting on a circular path.

Volute of the Persian Column

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel,…

The acanthus is one of the most common ornaments used to depict foliage.

Acanthus Leaf, Front and Side Views

The acanthus is one of the most common ornaments used to depict foliage.

The Leaf of Akanthos Mollis has broad tips to the leaves.

Leaf of Akanthos Mollis

The Leaf of Akanthos Mollis has broad tips to the leaves.

The Akanthos Calyx are the leaves and flower of the Akanthos Mollis.

Akanthos Calyx

The Akanthos Calyx are the leaves and flower of the Akanthos Mollis.

The Leaf of Akanthos Mollis has broad tips to the leaves.

Leaf of Akanthos Mollis

The Leaf of Akanthos Mollis has broad tips to the leaves.

The Leaf of Akanthos Spinosus has pointed lobes terminating in spines and narrow leaves.

Leaf of Akanthos Mollis

The Leaf of Akanthos Spinosus has pointed lobes terminating in spines and narrow leaves.

The Leaf Cup is a corona of a Greek Stele design.

Leaf Cup

The Leaf Cup is a corona of a Greek Stele design.

The Overlap of Leaf is a Roman candelabrum design.

Overlap of Leaf

The Overlap of Leaf is a Roman candelabrum design.

The Greek Leaf has pointed leaf-edges.

Greek Leaf

The Greek Leaf has pointed leaf-edges.

The Roman Leaf design is shown as a capital of a column in Pantheon, Rome. The spoon-like roundings of the points of the leaves, as well as the deep incisions are designed to look good from a distance.

Roman Leaf

The Roman Leaf design is shown as a capital of a column in Pantheon, Rome. The spoon-like roundings…

The Roman Capital Leaf has rounder and broader tips.

Roman Capital Leaf

The Roman Capital Leaf has rounder and broader tips.

The Leaf Displayed is often used as a design on Roman reliefs, however, it is more richly developed on Florentine Pilasters.

Leaf Displayed

The Leaf Displayed is often used as a design on Roman reliefs, however, it is more richly developed…

The Byzantine Leaf is a design found in Constantinople.

Byzantine Leaf

The Byzantine Leaf is a design found in Constantinople.

The Romanesque Leaf design has more rounder and broader tips.

Romanesque Leaf

The Romanesque Leaf design has more rounder and broader tips.

This Romanesque leaf design was found in a monastery in St. Trophimus (Southern France).

Romanesque Leaf

This Romanesque leaf design was found in a monastery in St. Trophimus (Southern France).

The Gothic Leaf has a general naturalistic style but details that are idealized.

Gothic Leaf

The Gothic Leaf has a general naturalistic style but details that are idealized.

The French Renaissance Leaf design tend to look more formal.

French Leaf Renaissance

The French Renaissance Leaf design tend to look more formal.

Style of Louis XVI Leaf.

Style of Louis XVI Leaf

Style of Louis XVI Leaf.

The French Renaissance Leaf design tend to look more formal. This design was found in a church in Epernay (Northern France).

French Leaf Renaissance

The French Renaissance Leaf design tend to look more formal. This design was found in a church in Epernay…

The French Renaissance Leaf design tend to look more formal.

French Leaf Renaissance

The French Renaissance Leaf design tend to look more formal.

The Modern Leaf design is found in Louvre, France.

Modern Leaf

The Modern Leaf design is found in Louvre, France.

The Modern Leaf design is found in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Modern Leaf

The Modern Leaf design is found in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

The Ornament Foliage is found on the summit of the monument of Lysikrates, Athens.

Ornament Foliage

The Ornament Foliage is found on the summit of the monument of Lysikrates, Athens.

The Roman Cup is an artificial foliage design that has serrated edges, made to look like natural desgins.

Roman Cup

The Roman Cup is an artificial foliage design that has serrated edges, made to look like natural desgins.

The Roman Ornament design is also called the "Medicean Pilaster".

Roman Ornament

The Roman Ornament design is also called the "Medicean Pilaster".