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Glite Dictionary
peltate

peltate

1 9.9
A round leaf with the stem attached near its middle on the lower side
  • adjective
  • /ˈpɛlteɪt/
  • Specialized
: peltado
  • Many aquatic plants display peltate foliage to maximize sunlight exposure.

Examples

  • The nasturtium has a peltate leaf, with the stem attached near the center.

  • The botanist noted the peltate leaves as a key characteristic of the species.

  • The peltate leaves of the plant are quite unique.

  • Is this leaf peltate or not?

  • The garden was adorned with large, peltate leaves that provided shade on sunny days.

  • During the field trip, the students learned to identify peltate leaves on the water lilies in the pond.

  • The biologist described how the peltate shape of the leaves helped them capture more sunlight.

Synonyms

shield-shaped
vspeltate
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A rounded leaf with the stem attached near the middle of the lower side

is the formal botanical term for the same leaf attachment

Compounds

peltate leaf
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A round leaf with the stem attached near the middle, like a nasturtium leaf

Surface Forms

peltate positive

Etymology

The word peltate comes from the old word pelta, which means 'small shield'. So a peltate leaf is like a little shield: the stem joins the leaf near the centre instead of at the edge, giving it a round, shield-like shape.