Leaf boat

A leaf boat is a traditional toy made in various parts of the world using nothing but a leaf. Various types of leaves are used depending on the area, most commonly flag iris, reed leaves and bamboo leaves.

Names in other languages

 * Finnish: kaislavene 'reed boat'
 * German: Schilfblattboot 'reed leaf boat'
 * Japanese: 竹葉舟 'bamboo leaf boat' or 笹の葉舟 'sasa leaf boat'
 * Chinese: 'bamboo leaf boat'
 * Scottish Gaelic: bàta-siolastair 'iris boat'
 * Spanish: barco de hoja de caña 'reed leaf boat'
 * Swedish: vassbåt 'reed boat'

Process
In most cases, the process of the more complex boats involves:
 * 1) folding over the ends of the leaf
 * 2) tearing the leaf on both sides alongside of the midrib
 * 3) tucking the torn sections into each other to form the prow and stem
 * 4) folding a sail and tucking the far end into the stem.