Quantification of leaf shape with a microcomputer and Fourier transform

Abstract

Using a microcomputer, digitizing surface and a Fourier transform, an automated, precise and repeatable method was presented to trace, quantify, and reconstruct the shape of flat leaves and reduce the information to a few coefficients. These coefficients can be analyzed statistically to reconstruct average leaves, to assess symmetry, to measure leaf complexity, to develop leaf shape signatures, and to allow shape analysis to proceed independently of surface area. Guidelines were provided for determining if leaves have statistically significant different shapes.