palmatifid

9.9

A leaf divided into parts like an open hand with shallow cuts toward the base

adjective
/pælˈmætɪfɪd/

Specialized

: palmatifido

In botany, a leaf is described as palmatifid when its lobes are split in a way that resembles an open hand.

Examples

Some geraniums feature palmatifid leaves that are deeply but not completely divided.
The maple has varieties with palmatifid leaves, making them appear like open hands.
In botany, a palmatifid leaf is distinct from a palmate-lobed one.
The palmatifid leaves of the plant are quite unique.
Can you identify a palmatifid leaf among these samples?
Some species of geraniums exhibit palmatifid leaves that have clefts reaching towards the base, but not fully divided.
You can recognize a palmatifid leaf by its shape, which resembles the fingers of a hand extending outward.

Synonyms

palmately-lobed

vspalmatifid

Specialized

9.1

Leaf parts spread from one center point like the fingers of a hand

has shallower divisions that do not reach the base

palmate

vspalmatifid

Specialized

8.4

A leaf with lobes that spread from one point like a hand

has shallower divisions that stop before the leaf base

palm-shaped

vspalmatifid

Specialized

5.2

A leaf with parts that spread from one point like a hand

has divisions that are shallower and do not reach the base

How Divided

palmately-lobed

Specialized

9.1

palmatifid

Specialized

9.9

lobed

6.5

entire

Specialized

1 8.3

Surface Forms

palmatifid positive

Morphology

palmatifid = palmate (semi-transparent) = palmate + fid

Formed from 'palmate' (hand-shaped) plus the botanical suffix '-fid' meaning 'split/cleft'; the components give a clear technical clue but the suffix is specialized.

Etymology

Palmatifid comes from Latin parts: palm- meaning 'palm' or 'hand' and -fid meaning 'split' or 'cleft'. So a palmatifid leaf is like an open hand whose 'fingers' are split almost to the base but not all the way, which is why the word describes this kind of leaf.