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Glite Dictionary
obovate leaf

obovate leaf

8.6
A leaf shaped like an egg with the narrow end near the stem
  • noun
  • Specialized
: hoja obovada
  • The obovate leaf of the rose bush is characterized by its egg-shaped outline.

Examples

  • The obovate leaf of the plant helps distinguish it from related species with other leaf shapes.

  • You can identify the tree by observing its obovate leaf and smooth bark.

  • Several shrubs in this region have a distinctly obovate leaf form.

  • The plant has a distinct obovate leaf shape.

  • Many species feature obovate leaves that enhance their beauty.

  • In spring, the obovate leaf emerges alongside vibrant flowers, making the plant easy to identify.

  • You can recognize the plant by its large obovate leaf, which tapers gently towards the stem.

Synonyms

spatulate leaf
vsobovate leaf
  • Specialized
8.6

A leaf shaped like a kitchen spatula wide at the tip and narrow at the base

is egg shaped with a smoothly rounded outline and a narrower base

Surface Forms

obovate leaf singular
obovate leaves plural

Morphology

obovate + leaf

The meaning 'a leaf that is egg-shaped with the narrower end at the base' is directly derivable from combining 'obovate' (egg-shaped, narrow at the base) with 'leaf' (a photosynthetic organ). This adjective–noun descriptive pattern is compositional and follows standard botanical naming, so a learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Obovate leaf describes a leaf shaped like an upside-down egg. The part ovate means 'egg-shaped' and the prefix ob- shows it is 'turned the other way', so the leaf's wider end is at the tip and the narrow end is at the base.