In botany, leaf shape is a description of the form of the part of a plant known as the leaf. Leaf shape is a component of plant morphology used in the description and taxonomy of plants. being one of the more visible features, leaf shape is commonly used for plant identification. leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets), have a regular or irregular border, be smooth or bearing hair, bristles or spines. In compound leaves, the arrangement and form of the edges of the leaflets determine the overall leaf shape, as well as the arrangement of the veins.