One such clue is the leaf arrangement on the stem, which is formally known as phyllotaxy in botany. There are three basic types of leaf arrangements found in woody trees and shrubs: alternate, opposite, and whorled. For tender plants, you will encounter these types of leaf arrangements: basal, rosette, and distichous. Examples of trees and shrubs with an alternate leaf arrangement:
Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) Black walnut (Juglans nigra). The black walnut may appear to have an opposite leaf arrangement, but it has compound leaves. The opposite leaflets form the entire true leaf, which alternates on the stem. Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) Smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Examples of trees and shrubs with an opposite leaf arrangement:
Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). The ash tree has a compound leaf, which is also composed of leaflets arranged oppositely. Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) Maple trees (Acer spp.) Olive trees (Olea spp.) Viburnums (Viburnum spp.)
A sub-opposite arrangement is a condition in which the leaves are not spaced far enough apart to be considered alternate nor are they perfectly opposite one another. Examples of trees and shrubs with a whorled leaf arrangement:
Blackboard tree (Alstonia scholaris) Japanese clethra (Clethra barbinervis) Lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides) Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) Redvein enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus)
Many perennial plants are trimmed back to new basal foliage once the older foliage starts to look tired and worn. Examples of perennials with basal leaf arrangement are:
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) Whorled stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Rosettes often referred to as basal rosettes frequently occur in acaulescent plants that have no visible stem. Example leaf arrangements are:
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) Liverwort (Hepatica nobilis) Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
Distichous leaf arrangements examples:
Maize (Zea mays) Gladiolus (Gladiolus palustris) Giant Reed (Arundo donax)
