Leaves (suit)

Leaves
Symbol from Bavarian pattern
Native names	German: Laub, Blatt, Schippen, Gras or Grün
Deck	German-suited playing cards
Invented	15th century

Leaves () (German: Laub) is one of the four playing card suits in a deck of German-suited playing cards. This suit was invented in 15th century Germany and is a survivor from a large pool of experimental suit signs created to replace the Latin suits. Around 1480, French card makers adapted this sign into Spades in the French pack (known as pikes in France).^[1]

As its name suggests, the leaf is represented by a stylized green leaf. The left half is lighter than the right half; it can sometimes be yellow. Veins are visible and there is usually a petiole. There may also be smaller leaves.

The standard German-suited system of leaves, acorns, hearts, and bells appears in the majority of cards from 1460 onwards. There is no evidence for this system prior to this point.^[1]