In order to identify a bush by its leaves, it is important to first understand the different types of leaves that exist. Broadly speaking, there are two main categories of leaves - deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous leaves are those that fall off the plant during winter, while evergreen leaves stay on the plant all year round.
Within these two categories, there are further sub-categories of leaves which can be used for identification purposes. For example, deciduous leaves can be further divided into opposite and alternate leaf arrangement. Opposite leaf arrangement means that the leaves are arranged in pairs on either side of the stem, while alternate leaf arrangement means that the leaves are staggered along the stem (i.e. not in pairs).
Similarly, evergreen leaves can also be divided into different types depending on their shape and size. For example, needles and scale-like leaves are both common types of evergreen foliage. Needles tend to be long and thin, while scale-like leaves are small and overlap each other like scales on a fish.
Once you have an understanding of the different types of Leaves, you can start to narrow down your search by looking at specific features such as colour, texture and patterning. For example, many bushes have dark green foliage with a glossy sheen. Others may have lighter green or even yellowish foliage which is more matte in appearance. Patterning on the Leaves can also be helpful for identification purposes - some common patterns include stripes, spots or blotches.
Finally, another useful tip for identifying bushes by their leaves is to look at the stems which connect them to the rest of the plant. The type of stem can give clues as to what family the plant belongs to (e