oblanceolate

9.9

A leaf shape that is wide at the tip and becomes narrower toward the base

adjective
/ˌɑːblænˈsiːəˌleɪt/

Specialized

: oblanceolado

A key feature is the oblanceolate shape of its leaf blades.

Examples

The plant’s oblanceolate leaves distinguish it from other species in the region.
Look at the oblanceolate leaves on that tree!
A key feature is the oblanceolate shape of its leaf blades.
Botanists described the tree as having thick, oblanceolate foliage.
The oblanceolate leaves are beautiful.
The plant’s oblanceolate leaves distinguish it from other species in the region.
Botanists described the tree as having thick, oblanceolate foliage.

Synonyms

spatula-shaped

vsoblanceolate

Specialized

1 6.4

A shape with a wide rounded top and a narrow base, like some leaves

stresses tapering toward the base rather than a simple narrow base

obovate

vsoblanceolate

Specialized

9.9

A leaf shaped like an egg with the narrow end at the stem

emphasizes tapering toward the base rather than an egg outline

Compounds

oblanceolate leaf

Specialized

8.6

A leaf that is wider near the tip with a rounded end and narrower at the base

Surface Forms

oblanceolate positive

Morphology

oblanceolate = lanceolate (transparent) = ob + lanceolate

In botanical terminology 'ob-' marks the inverse of a shape, so 'oblanceolate' straightforwardly means the reverse of 'lanceolate'.

Etymology

Oblanceolate is built from the part ob- ('reverse') and lanceolate, which comes from lance ('spear') and means 'like a lance'. So, an oblanceolate leaf is the lance shape turned the other way: wide near the tip and narrowing toward the base.