Cotton is not only an important cash crop but also an indispensable raw material in the textile industry. But have you ever paid attention to their leaves? Their shapes are diverse, some resembling cabbage, some like butterflies, some like willows... The strangeness of these leaf shapes is worth exploring in depth.
I. Flat Lanceolate Leaves
Most cotton leaves are flat and lanceolate, wide and long, with serrated edges, similar to other plants such as peach trees and maple trees.
II. Palmate Leaves
Some cotton leaves exhibit a palmate shape, with an elliptical center extending outwards into five irregular leaflets, somewhat resembling a willow.
III. Heart-shaped Leaves
There is also a type of cotton leaf that is heart-shaped, with toothed edges, very lovely. This shape is similar to the leaves of hawthorn and apricot trees.
IV. Pinnate Compound Leaves
Among cotton leaves, there are also pinnate compound leaves, with multiple leaflets extending from both sides of the central axis, as beautiful as a butterfly spreading its wings.
V. Chinese Cabbage Heart-shaped Leaves
Some cotton leaves have extremely peculiar shapes, like a growing Chinese cabbage heart, inevitably reminding people of rapeseed flowers.
VI. Long Lanceolate Leaves
Cotton leaves also have long, lanceolate shapes. These leaves are slender and more delicate than other types. This shape is similar to the leaves of phoenix trees and elm trees.
VII. Oval-shaped Leaves
In addition to more common shapes like flat lanceolate and palmate, cotton leaves can also be oval. These leaves are relatively smooth without obvious serrations. Similar to the leaves of apple and peach trees.
VIII. Linear-shaped Leaves
Some cotton leaves are linear, long and slender, some twisted, reminiscent of beans or eggplants.
IX. Obovate Leaves
Cotton leaves can also be obovate. These leaves are relatively round, very much like king oyster mushrooms. This shape is similar to the leaves of cherry and peach trees.
X. Bird Wing-shaped Leaves
There is also a cotton leaf shaped like a bird's wing, with two small wings extending upwards on both sides, as vividly as a little bird spreading its wings.
XI. Diamond-shaped Leaves
Cotton leaves can also be diamond-shaped. These leaves taper evenly on all four sides with a raised center. This shape is similar to the leaves of apricot and cherry trees.
XII. Elliptical Leaves
Cotton leaves can also be elliptical. These leaves are relatively smooth without obvious serrations. This shape is similar to the leaves of peach and apricot trees.
XIII. Round Leaves
There is also a cotton leaf that is round. This shape is similar to the leaves of loquat and cherry trees.
XIV. Triangular Leaves
Cotton leaves can also be triangular. The apex of these leaves is pointed, similar to other plants like poplar and maple trees.
XV.
The morphology of cotton leaves is diverse, and different shapes remind us of different plants. Whether they are flat lanceolate, palmate, heart-shaped, pinnate compound, Chinese cabbage heart-shaped, long lanceolate, oval, linear, obovate, bird wing-shaped, diamond-shaped, elliptical, round, or triangular leaves, each has its own unique beauty.