The Identification of the Leaves of a Berry Plant or Bush

Size and Shape

• Berry bush leaves usually are 1 to 3 inches long. Larger leaves can be as long as 5 inches. Viburnum lentago has 2- to 5-inch leaves, and the amur privet has smaller leaves, measuring 1 to 2 inches. The leaves can have pointy tips, teeth along the edges or ridges that don't reach the veins.

Arrangement

• Berry plant bushes have opposite or alternate arrangements. In opposite arrangements, the leaves grow opposite each other on the stem. An example is highbrush cranberry. Alternate arrangements, such as common chokeberry, have one leaf on the left side and another directly below it on the right side.

Grouping

• Single or compound leaves are present on berry bushes. Single leaves grow from where the stalk touches the stem. Bushes with compound leaves, such as skunkbush sumac, have several leaflets.