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One way to distinguish between plants is by the shape of their leaf edges or margins. Here are a few of the more common leaf margin types. Entire leaf margins have smooth edges. Most foliage plants like Dracaena, Ficus, and Philodendron fit into the entire category.

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Serrate leaves have saw-toothed margins; Abutilon is one such example.

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Crenate leaves have wavy edges. Swedish Ivy has crenate margins.

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Finely frilled leaf margins are called crispate. Parsley and Ming Aralia are both examples of crispate margins.

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Wavy and irregular leaf margins, like on this Anthurium species, are called undulate.