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Linearis

/lin-ee-AH-ris/
🏷️ Taxonomy Basic

Also known as: lineare

A leaf shape epithet describing a very narrow leaf with parallel sides that taper only slightly at the ends — like a narrow line or blade of grass. Linear leaves have among the smallest surface-area-to-length ratios of any leaf form. Appears as linearis (both genders).

Etymology

From Latin linearis, meaning "of or belonging to a line," from linea (a line, thread).

Example

Linum (flax — itself named from linea) and countless narrow-leaved grasses, sedges, and alpines described as linearis have the characteristic uniformly narrow, parallel-sided leaves the epithet so simply describes.

Example Plant

🌿Linum linearis