Tuliptree Leaf [pdf]

Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a hardwood tree belonging to the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) native to the eastern United States and so named for its showy canary-yellow flowers, which resemble tulips. Also distinctive are its leaves, which are four-lobed and are said to resemble the silhouette of a cat.

Tuliptree is one of the tallest North American trees and may attain heights in excess of 50 m. Its wood is prized for making organs, and bees may make a fine baking honey from its nectar.

This design is of intermediate difficulty and works well folded from a variety of papers, including kami. The layers on the back interlock nicely to ensure that the model lies flat.