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Glite Dictionary
peltate leaf

peltate leaf

1 9.9
A round leaf with the stem attached near the middle, like a nasturtium leaf
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛlteɪt liːf/
  • Specialized
: hoja peltada
  • A botanist described the rare plant as having a distinctive peltate leaf arrangement.

Examples

  • The nasturtium is easily identified by its round, peltate leaf with the stem attached near the center.

  • Many aquatic plants feature a broad, peltate leaf that floats on the surface of the water.

  • The peltate leaf of the nasturtium is quite distinctive.

  • Many plants, like the lotus, have peltate leaves.

  • The tropical plant features large peltate leaves that provide ample shade on hot days.

  • In botanical illustrations, peltate leaves of the nasturtium are easily recognizable due to their unique shape.

  • Gardeners often admire the distinctive appearance of peltate leaves in various ornamental plants.

Surface Forms

peltate leaf singular
peltate leaves plural

Morphology

peltate + leaf

The adjective 'peltate' describes a specific morphological property (stalk attached to the lower/central surface) and 'leaf' names the plant organ, so the combined phrase simply describes a leaf with that property. Although 'peltate' is a technical term, the meaning is fully compositional and directly derivable from the constituent definitions, making the MWE transparent to a learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Peltate leaf comes from a word for a small shield; imagine a round leaf like a shield with the stem attached near the middle instead of at the edge. That's why the term describes a leaf with the stem 'attached to the lower surface' rather than at the rim.